Monday Night Wine: Drinking with a Master

The times we currently live in are very interesting. I spend the majority of my life in various meetings and I am always asked,..."How are you doing?" I think this is a really funny question. I know exactly what they are asking, the majority of the people are not asking about me personally but about my business. This question has really struck a nerve and I am very thankful for it. Since the spectacular collapse of our financial system I have been able to really survey my life, the relationships I keep and what makes me happy. Though I really wish my company was having a banner year and that all my customers were beating down the door to buy the wines I pick, they are not but life is still great. I count myself as a very fortunate person to have found a profession that I not only enjoy, but I love and cherish. It has allowed me to go to amazing places and meet amazing people. One of those people is Bob Bath, Master Sommelier. I first met Bob in 2003 when I was at Tra Vigne. I had decided that I would begin my trek to becoming a Master Sommelier and the only introductory test being offered at the time was at the Beau Rivage Biloxi Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. Bob was one of the two Masters teaching the class and I introduced myself and we became fast friends. Fast forward to this past weekend, Bob, his wife Julie, Shauna and I enjoyed a long awaited dinner to catch up, break bread and drink good wine. Not only is Bob a mentor but Julie and he are friends who add to my life and make me remember what is important.

Do you believe a Monday Night Wine would be so serious? Probably not, but as I continue to figure out ways to keep customers in my store and keep drinking good wine, the friends I keep help me stay sane. Luckily the friends I keep have really good wine too! To celebrate my passing of the Advanced Sommelier test (we have been trying to get together for four months) Bob and Julie came to our apartment for dinner and shared a Giuseppe e Figlio Mascarello, Montrivato Barolo 1995. This is what life is about...not work.

Winery: Mascarello, Giuseppe e Figlio

Origin: Barolo DOCG, Commune of Castiglione Falletto

Grape: Nebbiolo

Vineyard (Cru): Monprivato

Vintage : 1995

Retail: $150 - $200

Website: Mascarello Giuseppe e Figli

Fun Fact Giuseeppe Mascarello was a well know vineyard manager in the area in the mid-1800's and was able to save enough money to purchase some land in 1881. His son, Maurizio, moved the winery to Castiglione Falletto in 1904 when he purchased a portion of the Monprivato Cru.

Tasting Notes: Mascarello is know to produce wines in the more traditional vein, creating wines of elegance, beauty and subtly. I had only read about this house prior to tasting this wine and I was not let down. The aromatics of the wine were stunning. Each time I took a breath I was given something new by the wine, dried cherries, dried roses, leather, tar, chalk, dried herbs, dried plums, cola, it went on and one. The only sad thing about a wine is that you eventually run out. The palate kept pace with the nose. Some Barolos can be too tannic but this wine was more like Warren Sapp on Dancing with the Stars. It was big and rich but danced lightly on the palate. This is one reason I love Nebbiolo. It is a wine that can be one thing at one moment and then change in the next. Our meal was made that much better by this wine. We had braised lamb shoulder with mushroom ragu over polenta, fresh black truffle and sauteed ramps. Life is good no matter what my 401k or mutual funds are doing.

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