🇮🇹🍷 CHRISTMAS EVE 🍷🇮🇹
Italian Red Wines with Lobster Fra Diavolo
1982 Gaja Sori’ San Lorenzo Barbaresco
2002 Montevertine Rosso
2003 Montevertine Le Pergole Torte
2008 Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico
Our Christmas Eve has evolved into a traditional Italian seafood dinner, this time with Lobster Fra Diavolo for the main course. Our red wines are, of course, Italian as well.
We started with the 1982 Gaja. This was a first for me as I have never really had an aged Barbaresco like this - almost 40 years old. This wine is showing no signs of giving in. This was very smooth, with muted red cherry flavors and a little spice. Super interesting. I almost did not know what to make of it.
I had the 2002 Montevertine Rosso a few years ago and loved it. At almost 20 years old it is certainly ready to open. The Rosso has 90% Sangiovese with 5% each Canaiolo and Colorino. Despite the wet growing season in 2002, this wine has held up well. Smooth and tasty.
The 2003 Le Pergole Torte (100% Sangiovese) is classic LPT. Black cherry, tobacco, licorice, and still fairly powerful. Ready to open if you have it, but not over the hill at all. Loved this.
I barely tasted the 2008 Serpico, but it is quite good with bags of life left. Needs decanting (which I did not do because we had no more decanters). I have two more bottles so I will try it again another time.
My oldest brother was stopping in for a night on his way back to California, so I had to choose some wines to share. I thought it would be fun to sip on some Vouvray to start before moving to the 10-year old Luce Super Tuscan for the grilled rack of lamb ➡️ dinner. Luce, for those who don’t know, was founded in 1995 with a collaborration between Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi. They also have a Brunello (which sadly I have never tried) and the more affordable Super Tuscan, Lucente, which is usually a terrific value.
This 2011 Luce was highly rated and was number 47 in the spectator 2014 Top 100. It is 55% Merlot and 45% Sangiovese. At the age of 10 this wine is still extremely potent. It has a deep purple color ➡️ and hearty aromas to match on the nose. I probably opened it too early, but it was for family and it paired very well with the lamb. The flavors are dark fruits with leather and tobacco. It’s a succulent wine.
What other wines would you pair with lamb?
The Champalou Vouvray is a Kermit Lynch wine, and it is a super tasty Vouvray. If you like Chenin Blanc, or want to try a good one,