2001 Fontevecchia Rosso di Montalcino

[Innkeeper]

2001 Fontevecchia, Rosso di Montalcino ($16.99 Micucci's Portland). Alcohol 13.5%. Gave abundant red fruit on the nose and tongue tip. Showed very nice complexity and fruit, a somewhat overabundance of acidity across the palate, and a decent finish. We are undecided on whether a little more time would have improved things. Since none of the other elements including tannin seemed capable of leveling the playing field; this is doubtful. When big brother Brunello is popped too soon, it is usually tannin that is the problem, and folks look for acid to help smooth it out.

With the food, the acid was not as pronounced. We matched it with one of our favorite dishes in the slow pot version:

BISTECCA ALLA PIZZAIOLA:

1 Medium onion chopped
2 tbl Olive oil
1 1/2 lb (or slightly larger) Eye of round roast
28 oz can Crushed (ground) tomatoes
1 tsp Crushed garlic
1 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black pepper
1/4 tsp Crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp Granulated garlic (powder)
1 tbl Dry oregano
Slow pot

Slice roast crosswise into one inch thick steaks. In a skillet, sauté onion in oil for three minutes, and add to pot. Add steaks to skillet and brown for two minutes on each side. Mix remaining sauce ingredients in a bowl. Add steaks, and tomato sauce to slow pot. Cook on low for eight hours. Serve the beef covered with sauce and sprinkled with herbs of choice, along with a nice salad.


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[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 09-23-2004).]