CorkRules - Episodes | Carbone Carbone

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About this Episode

Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Carbone, a high-end Italian restaurant that retains the glamor of mid-20th-century Italian restaurants. The New York-inspired menu is complemented by a wine list that offers a stellar selection of wines from Italy, France, and, of course, California.

Wines reviewed include:

2021 Lunae, Colli di Luni, Liguria Vermentino, Italy
2018 Barbaresco, Musso, Rio Sordo, Piedmont
2007 Fontodi, Flaccianello della Pieve, Tuscany

Transcript: Carbone

Carbone Las Vegas

RT): Hi Everyone, welcome back to CorkRules! The wine podcast that’s here to help YOU navigate all your favorite restaurant wine lists so you can order wine with confidence!

I’m Robert Tas, along with Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde on Instagram. Welcome back Maria

MV: Hi Robert, it’s great to be here for another episode today we are talking about Carbone Las Vegas a spot we go to often for celebrations!

RT: Laughs… that’s right.. Carbone’s Las vegas outpost is known for its HEFTY portions of Italian-American favorites, served in a swanky setting. Located within the Aria Casino and Resort, this restaurant is such a hot spot you can often see crowds of people waiting outside to get in for their reservation. Timeless Italian classics are elevated with table-side presentations in the glamorous dining room that takes its décor inspiration from the rat pack era. Maria I can’t wait to see what you think of their extensive wine list.

MV: I really love how well Carbone does elevated Italian-American cuisine..- it reminds me of the way I grew up and the kind of food we ate… especially for our early Sunday suppers with Nonna. Now I thought the NYC wine list was all that… but the Vegas location … just as impressive! Lots of Italian of course but also some great French finds, and California is just as well represented…I mean, it is an Italian American restaurant after all.

RT: Well of course.. so walk us through your favorites starting with the by-the-glass list.. something we didn’t have access to for our NY episode

MV: That’s right… Okay so definitely start with their negroni… it’s the best! And then order a glass of the Lunae, Colli di Luni, Liguria 2021 Vermentino. For me, the vermentinos from Liguria have a little more floral essence that I find really lovely. Try it with the baked clams, Ceasar salad..veggie dishes, and fresh fish

If you want a fuller-bodied white try the Brewer-Clifton, Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills 2019

$25 but this is not an oaky chard as winemaker Greg brewer uses only neutral barrels here.

Red standouts for me are the Barbaresco, Musso, Rio Sordo, Piedmont 2018

$29 which is full of Ripe cherry black tar, and dark plums. And the , Masi, Costasera Amarone della Valpolicella 2017 $33 which has coffee and cocoa notes along with red and black fruit and a higher alcohol level. (15%!!!) But both are great options for richly flavored meat dishes.

RT: Beautiful wines.. Given how great the wines by the glass are I can’t wait to see your selections for bottles. Does anything stand out that’s on the more affordable side?

MV: If you like Pinot noir, then try the Tornatore, Pietrarizzo, Etna Rosso 2019 [Bin - 33513]

$102 made from the nerelo mascallese grape, this Sicilian red has a delicate structure and a spiced herbal fruit flavor. If you like Sangiovese but not the price tag that sometimes comes with it at times,, try this one.. the Badia a Coltibuono, Sangioveto 2015 a smaller production release that's only made in select years and Aged in French oak for about 12-16 months

RT: How about if I’m having the dover sole Picatta?

MV: Ah yes..so I went with value reds first because it’s so fitting here, but the dover sole is spectacular the picatta is butter on butter plus capers and lemon…they have this funky little gem that I think is priced reasonably because no one is going to know what it is -But I would go for it… the Clos Uroulat 2017 Jurancon sec this French estate is run by a father-daughter team and they practice biodynamic farming It is a blend of two local grape varieties - Gros Manseng and Courbu aged 10 months in oak, giving it a rich golden color. Big and fleshy they say it’s an intense wine.. I like intense don’t you?

RT: I do… and Hey I’m always up for trying new wines. Especially with a fair price tag! Now you said this is your celebration spot, so which wines do we order for special occasions here?

MV: So if you love a good Pinot.. hands down the Cirq, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2018 [Bin - 35378] is going to one you’ll fall in love with! $581 Cirq is the new project from Michel Browne.. ya know the co-founder of the famed Kosta Brown estate so you now you know this is going to be a good bottle. We are actually on their mailing list! The wines although expensive, are fantastic!

MV: Another beauty, the Antinori, Guado Al Tasso, Bolgheri 2019 [Bin - 35287] a super Tuscan maybe not as recognizable as some of the others but I’ve been drinking this one since before it was famous… before the hefty price tag. Cab sauv dominated with some merlot and an increasing amount of more Cab franc every year due to global warming in the vineyard.

$338

And 2 more Tuscan gems, the Fontodi, Flaccianello della Pieve 2007 [Bin - 18917] the old world grape Sangiovese is the star here but handled with new world winemaking techniques.

$468 2007 is great older vintage but if you prefer your wines with less age on them try the Biondi Santi 2016 Brunello di Montalcino. Iconic producer.. this could easily steal the attention of everyone at the table. [Bin - 35187]

RT: Any celebratory white that we should take note of?

MV: HA! there I go again right to red.. let me see ah yes… the Gaja, Gaia & Rey 2017 a gorgeous chardonnay from Gaja the italian producer that consistently has the highest priced wines..but the quality matches the price tag. I’d love a chance to try this knock-out white with the whole Bronzino or even the Veal parmesan at Carbone..

RT: And there you go! The wine list at Carbone a la Maria! Thank you everyone for joining us today you can find more wine tips from Maria on Instagram @Mariathewineblonde. Remember the only rule in wine is “drink what you LOVE”.

MV: Have a favorite wine List? Let us review it here. Send us your requests at info@CorkRules.com You can find previous episodes on your favorite podcast platform and on

The CorkRules website. Be sure to follow @CorkRules on Instagram for episode and app updates. Prices and selections subject to change, please drink responsibly.