Dalla Valle and Valentini

Dinner at Shanghai Fraternity Association.

1976 Philipponnat Réserve Spéciale, dégorgée en août 2007 - almost no gas escaped when the cork was popped... although there were still some very fine bubbles coming up in glass. Good acidity here along with the expected caramelized palate and nose. Lovely notes of savory minerals and Chinese salted plums. Drinking nicely.

1990 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon - served around 45 minutes after decanting. Definitely smoky, minty, graphite, and a little savory. After more than 1 hour this was drinking very nicely. Plenty of life left in this wine.

2006 Valentini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - served about 1½ hours after decanting. Really fragrant, nice and oaky, but unfortunately this also came with a chalky nose. Sweet on the palate. Some 3 hours after decanting the chalky notes were still there, but that oak sure was lovely once you get past the dust and chalk.

Full post on dinner is here.