I had a pleasant breakfast this morning with Marco Oberto of Ciabot Berton, traditionalist wine producer from Piemonte. We tasted a bottle of his 2003 "Vigna Capalot" Langhe Nebbiolo; his old-school, fermented-in-cement Barolo 2003 won't be ready to drink for at least a few more years. Light in color, this real-deal Nebbiolo has lots of stuffing, clean-flavored yet full of woodland fruit, impressive structure and a relatively long finish. The oak is under control; the wine spends about a year in Slovenian botti (medium-sized barrels). Right now it seems just a tad hot and the tannins give a slightly bitter note to the sides of the tongue. Where some might say, "Oh, just a baby Barolo", I'd say, "No, a serious wine in its own right." It has some more ageing to do, more growth to complete. I'll write more extensively about Ciabot Berton and the wines rather soon.
I asked Marco, "If you were sitting across from Franco Ziliani instead of me, would he be a friend or a foe?"
Marco smiled. "A friend."
Instant Barolo-traditionalist cred.
Tonight is the long-awaited book party for Alice Feiring. Her The Battle for Wine and Love: or How I Saved the World from Parkerization is coming out any minute now. I've been hearing about this book for so long now, I'm champing at the bit to read it. I shall report, albeit briefly, on the do for Alice tomorrow.
The style of the illustration and the type face still remind me of Eloise.
Another piece of wine-geek vineyard porn:
the book is already out
btw - i read it and enjoyed it
Posted by: AC | May 16, 2008 at 05:58 PM
You see how I keep up. One is always jetting madly about...
Posted by: Terry Hughes | May 16, 2008 at 06:08 PM
better get your Seersucker jacker from the cleaners before they close...you're gonna need it tonight.
Posted by: AC | May 16, 2008 at 06:10 PM
ROTFNL
What's the problem with seersucker, aside from the name?
I bought a straw hat to go with it, by the way.
Posted by: Terry Hughes | May 16, 2008 at 06:12 PM
Re: the book. I kept waiting for a free review copy. No dice.
Posted by: Terry Hughes | May 16, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Your free copy of Alice's book was mailed to me along with a spanking new seersucker suit and matching seersucker hat and socks.
Posted by: Marco | May 16, 2008 at 09:24 PM
I. Want. Them. Sox.
Posted by: Terenzio | May 16, 2008 at 10:47 PM
The socks are in the mail. Buon viaggio. I should type "Buon viaggio" and permanently place it as a banner ad on your blog.
Posted by: Marco | May 17, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Yes, it does seem that way.
BTW, seersucker socks are really a splendid idea. Why hasn't anyone ever thought of them before?
Posted by: Terenzio | May 17, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Terry, why I can be an "ennemy" or a foe for mister Oberto? I dislike, very dislike, bad and fake Barolo, not authentic vin de terroir...
Posted by: Franco Ziliani | May 18, 2008 at 06:17 AM