1999 Vintage Tuscan/Piedmont Tasting at Wine Watch Wine Bar

“I’m like Julius Caesar, when I come around you hail/
Fix me up a salad with tatsoi and kale.”
–The Nitpicker on his hit single “Leefi Greenz.”

“It’s a celebration. Clap, clap, bravo./Lobster and shrimp
and a glass of moscato.”
– Drake on Trey Songz’ hit track “I Invented Sex.”

We start off the following week, Wednesday July 12th with a tasting featuring one of the best vintages from both Tuscany and the Piedmont regions of Italy 1999.  Although at first this year was not hailed as one of the greatest over time many of the Italian wine cognizant have recognized the value and quality that this year offers.  Many of these wines we are tasting are still available by the case and tonight you can taste ten wines from this outstanding vintage and enjoy the cuisine at Wine Watch Wine Bar for $95 + tax.  There are only 16 spaces available and we only have 4 remaining for this event to make reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com. 

Tuscany Versus Piedmont 1999 Vintage Tasting at WWWB
Wednesday, July 12th
7:30pm

1999 Canalicchio Di Sopra Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $147.00 Sale $129.36

Fresh earth/mineral aromas with notes of anise and leather to compliment the black cherry and black plum fruit on the nose. Meaty on the tongue with excellent balance and firm tannins, a structured wine that needs time in the cellar. Finish 45+ EXCELLENT +

1999 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello Riserva
Price: $195.00 Sale $171.60

(94 Points) The 1999 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva made a terrific showing thanks to its all-embracing personality. There’s a real sense of abundance and generosity here that starts with the wine’s richly textured mouthfeel and darkly concentrated appearance. The aromas have certainly moved into the third and final stage of their evolution with smoked bacon and saddle bag but there’s enough pressed fruit and crushed flower to keep it from feeling one-dimensional. The mouthfeel is lean and elegant with surprising focus and clarity. Decant the wine three to four hours prior to serving. Drink: 2014-2028.   Wine Advocate #211, Feb 2014

1999 Fontodi Flaccianello
Price: $202.00 Sale $177.76

(92 points) Made from 100% Sangiovese and aged 12 months in French oak, the 1999 Flaccianello is immensely impressive. Its opaque ruby/purple color is followed by scents of high class French oak intermixed with black cherry liqueur, minerals, spice box, tobacco, and blackberries. Concentrated yet elegant, this sweet, pure, exceptionally long wine can be drunk now, or cellared for 10-12 years. Wine Advocate #144 Dec 2002

1999 Donna Olga Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $112.00 Sale $98.56

92 points "The 1999 Brunello di Montalcino Donna Olga is the selection from the home vineyards, very fresh and sweet with ample raspberry fruit and notes of chocolate, solid and deep in flavor, packed and polished and very long. Drink: 2005-2018." Robert Parker

1999 Michele Satta Piastraia
Price: $80.00   Sale $70.40

The color is intense ruby-red. Aromas of summer red fruit with notes of blueberry and blackberry, straw and green grass. On the palate, same explosive fruit corresponds to the aromas, with a core that is deep and solid that gives great drinkability to the wine.

1999 Michele Satta Vigna al Cavaliere
Price: $80.00   Sale $70.40

1999 La Palazza Magnificat
Price: $45.00   Sale $39.60

1999 Dante Rivetti Barbaresco Riserva
Price: $90.00   Sale $79.20

1999 Martinetti Barolo Marasco
Price: $115      Sale $101.20

1999 Pelissero Barbaresco Annata 1.5L
Price: $190.00   Sale $167.20

1999 Pelissero Barbaresco Annata
Price: $87.50   Sale $77.00

(93 Points) A dark, powerful wine, the 1999 Barbaresco bursts from the glass with notable depth, intensity and pure resonance. Black cherry, plum, smoke, tobacco and licorice meld together in a Barbaresco endowed with magnificent richness and breadth. The 1999 is a bit rustic in style, which is typical of the year, but it also has enough volume to drink well for another 5-7. This is a magnificent showing. -- Antonio Galloni

1999 Pelissero Barbaresco Vanotu
Price: $196.00 Sale $172.48

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec '00... 'Saturated medium ruby. Superripe aromas of black raspberry, roasted plum, dark chocolate, mocha, and sexy, smoky oak. Then almost surprisingly fresh and juicy in the mouth despite its roasted nuances, with strong, delineated fruit flavors of noteworthy depth. Here the fine tannins spread out nicely on the impressively long finish. A rather broad Barbaresco that also offers good cut and grip. 89-92 points'

Menu

Anise and Sambuca Veal Carpaccio with Arugula Salad

Veal Osso Bucco Ravioli with truffle infused white beet veloute

Veal Bone Marrow Ice Cream with Coconut

This tasting is $95 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com

Here is what Tanzer had to say about the 1999 vintage of Brunelli:
“Since literally before the widely hyped, very ripe 1997s were released, some Tuscany insiders were already saying that 1999 would be at least as good a vintage for Brunello di Montalcino, and perhaps more classic.  Needless to say, for the past couple of years I have been thirsting to taste the 1999s; my tastings, all conducted during the month prior to going to press with this issue, did not disappoint.  A sizeable percentage of wines from this terrific vintage is outstanding, and there are very few out-and-out disappointments. 

Tuscany enjoyed a very warm and nearly ideal growing season and harvest in 1999, but with less heat-and, more important, cooler nights-just before and during the harvest than in 1997.  Small rains in August were well timed to keep the vines happy.  The wines are deeply colored – even by the standards of Brunello – and deeply colored – even by the standards of Brunello – and display more obvious early structure than the ‘97s, which are generally fleshier wines with a tendancy toward roasted, torrefaction aromas, especially those examples from the warmer southern portion of the Brunello zone.  But it must be emphasized that the combination of greater babyfat and smooth, fine-grained tannins in many ‘97s can be deceptive:  today the considerable structure of these wines is often masked.  The young ‘99s generally have sound, well-integrated acidity, which gives them very good flavor definition and extends their finishes.  And their tannins are typically a tad chewier and firmer than those of the ‘97s.”  Issue 116, September/October 2004

Here is what Decanter Magazine had to say about 1999 in the Piedmont:

The year began with temperatures back to normal levels after two unusually warm winters. Healthy amounts of snow fell in January and March, helping to restore water reserves in the subsoil. Bud-break was on time and mild weather with plenty of rain meant an initially rapid growth of vegetation. Frost damage was limited to low-lying, lower quality vineyards. Continued rain meant that peronospora was a common problem in mid-May. June, however, brought hot, sunny weather alternating with storms. This pattern continued into July. August was unusually cloudy and often cool, but the weather turned around in September to allow a good final ripening and harvesting period for the late-ripening black grape varieties.
Best Appellations

1999 looks to be a good vintage, hugely overshadowed by its two predecessors. Quality is particularly dependent on yield in 1999. As so often in the Langhe, the top growers will shine while much average quality wine will be produced.

The style of the best wines is more nervous and less opulent than 1997 and 1998. Good complexity and aromatics are already evident in many Nebbioli and there are many very good Barberas. Dolcetto was successful yet again with a vivid primary fruit character.
Read more at http://www.decanter.com