When In Rome ...
Reservations Closed
| Course | Pairing / Description | Wine |
|---|---|---|
| Hors D’oeuvres |
Asparagus and Prosciutto Galette
Brie and Pear Tartlet
Silvio Jermann is one of the most influential winemakers in Italy, turning his family’s modest farm into a hallmark winery in Friuli. Jermann's Pinot Grigio is an archetypal expression of the region with its balance of power and freshness. A warm winter resulted in earlier budding, but the season was slowed by a cold and wet spring. Summer was very hot but diurnal shifts maintained balance during ripening. The quality is very good, with additional ripeness matched by high acidity. The wine has aromas of Alpine herb, white spring flower and ripe orchard fruit mingle together in the glass. Tangy and rounded, the savory palate boasts intense flavor and finesse, doling out ripe yellow pear, white peach and a hint of green melon alongside fresh acidity. Wine Enthusiast - 92 pts.; James Sucking - 91 pts. |
Jermann Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC 2019
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| Soup Course |
Ribollita Zuppa Toscana
Opening to a mild garnet color and pretty ruby transparency, the Tornatore 2017 Etna Rosso has a bouquet that is tight and streamlined, with wild rose and forest fruit followed by crushed stone and tangy mountain herb. The wine has notes of macerated strawberries and raspberries, morello cherries and black plum, which blend with subtle hints of herbs and earth. Surprisingly full in structure, fine tannins and bright acidity give the wine richness, complexity and persistence. The blend is 95% Nerello Mascalese and 5% Nerello Cappuccio, and this 2017 vintage shows more grit and volume compared to past editions. That extra level of textural fiber would pair with porchetta or roast lamb. There's a salty note on the close. Wine Enthusiast - 93 pts.; James Suckling - 92 pts.; Robert Parker - 91 pts. |
Tornatore Etna Rosso DOC 2017
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| Risotto Course |
Saffron and Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto e Pancetta
This wine is elegant and well balanced, with a good structure and aroma. Ruby red in color with purple hues, it offers light hints of raisins, sophisticated notes of vanilla, black pepper, cloves and cinnamon. It has a long, velvety finish and soft tannins. Blend: Corvina Veronese 40%, Corvinone 30%, Rondinella 25%, Sangiovese 5%. Palazzo della Torre easily pairs with various Italian dishes, above all risottos, especially those flavored with saffron, porcini mushrooms and pork; classic dishes such as pasta with Amatriciana and Carbonara sauces, baked lasagna, gnocchi with gorgonzola cheese and walnuts; grilled meats and roasts. It also excels when matched with Parma ham and fine-cured Zibello pork loin, as well as medium-matured cheeses, especially Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan), pecorino and Monte Veronese. James Suckling - 92 pts.; Wine Spectator - 90 pts. |
Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veneto IGT 2016
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| Beef Course |
Open Face Short Rib Ravioli and Truffle Cream Sauce and Wild Roasted Mushrooms
The 2016 Brunello represents a culmination of Argiano’s efforts to create a true wine of terroir. Beginning with the 2012 season, agronomist Francesco Monari worked to convert the estate to organic viticulture. Additionally, he reduced planting density in order to get a more balanced expression of Sangiovese. Winemaker Bernardino Sani supported his efforts by abandoning the use of barriques for aging (as had been common practice for several years) opting instead for large casks that wouldn’t detract from the elegance of the grapes. He also started using cement tanks for fermentation and finishing, believing it to be ideal at certain stages for temperature control and oxygenation. The results speak for themselves, a wine of depth and elegance in one of the greatest vintages Montalcino has ever seen. The Argiano 2016 Brunello di Montalcino shows a lovely transparency to its appearance and follows with lifted red fruit aromas, cassis, wild cherry and blue flower. James Suckling - 97 pts.; Wine Enthusiast - 96 pts.; Robert Parker - 95 pts. |
Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2016
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| Dessert Course |
Almond Mascarpone Filled Cannoli
The 2019 Pieropan Soave Classico is a brilliant straw yellow color with greenish hints. The delicate nose is reminiscent of almond blossoms and marzipan. Fragrant and delicious, this opens with heady aromas of white spring flower, citrus and tropical fruit. Vibrant and tangy, the savory palate doles out juicy grapefruit, white peach and lemon drop before a saline mineral finish. Bright acidity keeps it crisp and balanced. This wine makes an excellent partner for soups, starters, especially vegetable based such as asparagus, peas, courgette, egg-based dishes or seafood and freshwater fish dishes. It is an excellent aperitif, especially when served with simple canapés. Wine Enthusiast - 94 pts. |
Pieropan Soave Classico DOC 2019
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| Chip Wine |
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Ilatraia is a real beauty and one of the only wines that has taken on the challenges of this hot and dry vintage with undisputed results. Ilatraia opens to an inky dark appearance and thick phenolic weight that is given extra volume and depth thanks to layers of cherry, dried blackberry and plum. This is a big red wine worthy of a big Fiorentina steak. It is well-rounded and chewy with a concentrated, full-bodied palate that offers dried black cherry, clove, mocha and tobacco alongside fine-grained tannins. Enjoy through 2027. Robert Parker - 95 pts.; James Suckling - 94 pts. |
Brancaia Ilatraia Toscana 2017
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