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But something happened when
Michael and the Bulls finally figured out a way to topple
Isiah, Joe and the rest of the Pistons, and when
Daddy Rich, Coach Chuck Daly left town, it was like something died in me. It was like something died in the Pistons too, because they fell on hard times, and not even the eventual acquisition of would - be
Superstar Grant Hill could revive them, or my interest. But then,
Joe Dumars took over running the basketball operations, and in amazingly short order, put a winning team on the court. All that was needed, it seemed was the addition of a great coach, in the person of
Larry Brown, and one more great player, who was surprisingly,
Rasheed Wallace, a bit of a bad boy in his own right.
 The Pistons made an amazing run during the
2004 NBA Playoffs; at times, it was downright ugly, but they ground down their opponents to make the
Finals, and then, they just played better and better. The vaunted L.A.
Lakers were almost everybody's pick to win, but like the Bad Boys of old, the Pistons proved that
a great defense can beat a great offensive team.
We started out Game 1 with a couple of Brunello di Montalcinos, for no other reason than they were laying around. For Game 2, we made the mistake of opening a couple of
"QPR" Aussies that didn't exactly rock our socks off. Now, we're not superstitious or anything, but those Italians seemed to come through with a lot of pleasure, and so did Detroit in Game 1, but such was not to be with Game 2. So, we figured, what
the hell, let's switch back to some fine Italians for Game 3, and we stuck with that game plan right on through the next three games, and viola, the Pistons were the new NBA Champs, and we had enjoyed some fantastic wines while watching it all happen.
 1990 Tenuta la Poderina Brunello di Montalcino, 13% alc.: Kim characterized this rusty ruby colored Brunello as "musty," but it reminds me of nothing so much as my mother's very aromatic cedar chest, with flavors and aromas of prune, dried black cherries and above all, cedar! As it opens, even more cedar emerges, along with some sea air and smoke. Tannins are pretty much resolved, but there's still plenty of acidity, and it finishes very nicely. A very fine wine in its prime, soft, yet rich and delicious, so satisfying and harmonious.
Imported by Winebow, Inc., New York, NY
1998 Villa Poggio Salvi Brunello di Montalcino,
14% alc.: This ruby dark garnet exudes road tar, underbrush and dried sour cherries on the nose, and there's a lot more of the same on the palate, along with something like peanut butter, and as it opens and fleshes out, spicy notes of licorice, leather and balsamico emerge. It shows good concentration and intensity, and it's not so tannic that you can't drink one tonight; deep, dark and tasty, this is a fine glass of wine that really needs at least another five years to show it best.
Imported by Premiere Wine Merchants, New York, NY
 1990 Marchese di Gresy Barbaresco Gaiun Martinenga,
14% alc.: Kim absolutely raves about this somewhat rusty ruby garnet, calling it "voluptuous" and "fabulous," and she has a point. While the slightly tarry, smoky prune and dried sour cherry aromatics aren't exactly exuberant at first, the flavors certainly are, with plenty of smoky, dusty dried sour cherry, black cherry, leather, a little licorice and subtle elements of road tar in the background. There are still some tannins here, along with good acidity and a lovely finish, and after it had been open for about an hour, it reminded me of a hypothetical cross between a red Burgundy and a Chateauneuf du Pape, of all things. Quite simply, a marvelous wine, and still on the way up, if this bottle is any indication.
Imported by Paterno Imports, Chicago, IL
1995 Luigi Pira Barolo Marenca, 14% alc.: The ruby dark garnet color of this intense Barolo is showing just a little rust at this point; the nose, while muted initially, opens to show floral overtones to the dark plum and black cherry aromatics. There's nothing stingy about the flavors, which echo the bouquet in a big way, gaining an earthy, leathery quality with air. This has dense, intense concentration, along with tannins that beg for another five years minimum in the cellar. Kim wasn't nearly as impressed with this as with the di Gresy, but give it enough time, and it'll soften up, develop more complexity and really start to sing.
A Marc de Grazia Selection, imported by Vin Divino, Chicago, IL
1997 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino, 13.5% alc.: Dark garnet, and not showing a lot on the nose, but plenty of dried sour cherry, leather, licorice and soy on the palate. Sleek, streamlined, rich and dee-lish, with quintessential Tuscan character, and a fine future ahead of it; still, this needs to grow a nose.
Imported by Winebow, Inc., New York, NY
2000 Lamborghini Campoleone Umbria IGT, 13.5% alc.: This deep, dark garnet Sangiovese - Merlot blend throws a fragrant bouquet that features toasty oak over black and red fruit shaded with underbrush and a little barnyard; flavors are dense and concentrated, with elements of plum, blackberry and black currant. Chewy and yummy, flirting with a New World - international style while retaining a very dry character at the same time. Southeastern Michigan wine - psychopomp Bill Schwab describes this as "a food product."
Imported by Winebow, Inc., New York, NY
 1990 Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra,
14% alc.: This rusty garnet is all secondary action on the nose, reminiscent of a cedar chest and smoke, and little if any primary fruit; in this case, that's a good thing. Flavors echo big time, with added prune, raisin, leather, and as it opens, some tobacco and more than a hint of decaying vegetation. Still some tannins here, but they're not at all
intrusive; the acids are in balance and the finish is long. Rich and delicious, the wine has a sleek density to it, and it evolves continuously with air; by hour number four, it's all cedar and saddle leather. If I'd like just a wee bit less of the decaying vegetation element, this is still undeniably great Barolo.
Imported by Julienne Importing Co., Chicago, IL
1996 Az Agr Boasso Barolo Gabutti, 14% alc.: Dark garnet fading to pink at the
promiscuous rim, this is tight on the nose at first, showing grudging black currant, black cherry and dried sour cherry, with a hint of something like a full ashtray next to an aquarium. The tight flavors echo, but with impressive intensity and concentration, and while it opens noticeably after an hour or so, it's still deep, dark and mysterious; more of that dried sour cherry character emerges after two hours. While approachable, this needs time (it should be singing on or about its fifteenth birthday) to show its best. It's a
Ben Wallace kind of Barolo, with impressive structure, so it's not about to fade away any time soon.
A Marc de Grazia Selection, imported by Vin Divino, Chicago, IL
Congratulations to
the Detroit Pistons for bringing the NBA Championship back to the
Palace! We might have started another tradition of wine and an
old/new favorite Dee - troit
sports team here at Gang Central...
Reporting
from Day-twah,
Bastardo
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