2000 Le Salette Ca'Carnocchio

[hotwine]

The word Ripasso on the label is not obligatory for the style, but drying of the grapes (accounting for the raisin note) is what a Ripasso is all about.... that's the process. See the wine and its producers at http://www.vintagesonline.com/VINTAGESNewsletter-92904.htm.

Sounds like a winner! And yes, air-time would have made a big difference. Since it was BYOB, you might have poured it when you arrived, and let the wine breathe in the glasses while waiting for the food to arrive. That would only give it half an hour (in most places), but better than nothing. At least a full hour would be better IMHO. Next time.

(I haven't figured out how to gracefully postpone being served while waiting for a wine to open up. Tough to tell a waiter to go away, when he's wanting to turn your table over to the next customers as soon as possible.)