Paitin di Pasquero-Elia Wine Dinner at Southbound

Paitin di Pasquero-Elia Wine Dinner at Southbound - Thursday March 13, 2014

A Special dinner featuring wines from Paitin di Pasquero-Elia, with the winemaker Giovanni Pasquero-Elia, at the highly anticipated restaurant Southbound (pre-opening), with Le Caveau Fine Wines.  There was a 5 course meal prepared by Chef Matt Marcus.  

About the winemaker:  "Giovanni Pasquero-Elia and his brother Silvano run the estate that their ancestor, Benedetto Elia, purchased in the 18th century. This Barbaresco estate, includes 17.5 hectares of vineyard, mostly situated along either side of the Via Serra Boella in Bricco di Neive. Paitin has been selling wine labeled Barbaresco since 1893, making this small estate one of the historic properties of Piemonte. They are now producing some of the finest Barbaresco wines in the entire zone, especially considering the reasonable prices charged.

There has been a change of course in the winemaking recently, as the brothers had one foot in the ‘new school’ camp (using roto-fermenters, some small French oak barrels) and one foot in the ‘traditional' camp. Now they are using more traditional maceration and fermentation techniques, with the larger Slavonian oak barrels for aging. In the spring of 2010, the Pasquero-Elia brothers enlisted the services of consulting oenologist Dante Scaglione, who spent 16 years alongside the legendary Bruno Giacosa. Scaglione is a former classmate of Giovanni’s from the days when they attended the oenological school in Alba together. Dante has produced many of the most compelling Nebbiolo-based wines in the last 20 years, in both Barolo and Barbaresco, at one of the zone’s greatest estates! His soulful, classic take on the genre is legend, and people happily pay $200-$400 a bottle for Giacosa’s top bottlings, which Dante hand crafts."

Sidenote:  Brian (from Atlanta Beverage Company) and Giovanni worked together in Colorado several years ago, and then later on when Giovanni was trying to get into the Atlanta market, he found that Brian had moved here, and together they were able to bring Giovanni's wines to Atlanta.  We were among the first people in Georgia to taste these wines and have an opportunity to buy some bottles

NV Pascal Doquet Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs 

(blend of 2008 & 2009 vintages)

Amuse- White Asparagus, Meyer Lemon, Truffle, Micro Chervil, Shaved Radish

2012 Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Vigna Elisa’ Langhe Arneis

(85% Arneis, 15% Riesling)

Side note: Arneis translates to "rascal" or "Difficult boy" - it is not easy to grow this white grape varietal.

Poached Scallop, Butter, Sake, Fennel and Frond 

2010 Paitin di Pasquero-Elia 'Campolive' Barbera d'Alba Superiore

92 Points: Pure and intense, this red evokes ripe plum, blackberry, spice and mineral aromas and flavors. Borders on racy, with taut structure and bracing acidity driving the long aftertaste of iron and leather. Drink now through 2020. 666 cases made. –Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, Mar 31, 2013

Roasted Venison. Preserved Tomato, Beet and Nastarium Jus, Whipped Cauliflower

2009 Paitin di Pasquero-Elia 'Serra' Barbaresco 

92 Points: The 2009 Barbaresco Serra emerges from the glass with a heady melange of sweet red berries, licorice, anise and dried herbs. Violets, roses and flowers of all sorts appear as the wine sits in the glass. Deceptively medium in body, the 2009 impresses for its deep layers of fruit and radiant, powerful personality. The tannins remain youthfully vigorous, but are nicely balanced by the creaminess of the fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029. -Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate #203, Oct 2012

Scotch Egg, Fontina, Watermelon Chow-chow, Venison Demi-glace 

 

2008 Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Vecchie Vigne Sorì Paitin’ Barbaresco

94 Points: The blackest of cherries, spices, incense, tar and scorched earth are some of the many nuances that emerge from the 2008 Barbaresco Sori’ Paitin Vecchie Vigne. This dark, brooding Barbaresco is all about power. The 2008 impresses for its fabulous balance and pure length. With time in the glass, the wine becomes increasingly more refined. It is a striking Barbaresco to drink now and over the next 10-15 years, perhaps longer. The 2008 was aged in 25-hectoliter cask and bottled in June 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028. -Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate #203, Oct 2012

 Kale and Sausage Orecchiette, Beurre monté, Pecorino

Late Winter Berry Mousse