VINO LAS VEGAS joins The Capital Grille in Las Vegas to celebrate Castello Banfi Debut a wine 30 years in the making

The Capital Grille has a very fine national reputation . When we were invited to take place in a little bit of culinary history we could not turn it down. This renowned restaurant paired with Tuscan winemaker Castello Banfi for the United States debut of its BelnerO Sangiovese di Montalcino 2005 which is a highly allocated vintage.



BelnerO means "dark beauty in Italian. The 2009 introduction of the BelnerO celebrates the Mariani family's 30th year at Castello Banfi and
the 90th year as the United States leading importer of fine wine having begun in 1919.










In 1978 John and Harry Mariani, owners of the U.S. wine importer Banfi Vintners, established the award winning vineyard estate and winery Castello Banfi in the Brunello region of Tuscany. A constellation of single vineyards located on ideal sites cover about one third of the 7,100 acre (2,830 hectares) estate. The remaining land consists of bucolic meadows, olive and plum groves, and woodland. Central to the property is a medieval castle that functions as a hospitality center, hosting visitors at a full service restaurant, enoteca and museum dedicated to the history of glass and its relation to wine.

To celebrate this great occasion The Capital Grille offers a 5 course Italian dinner for $49.00 per person from February 23 to April 5 2009. The wine is not included but we had the BelnerO and highly suggest it as the menu was designed to pair with each course. At $69.00 per bottle it its well worth it !

Insalata di Caprino

Field greens, shaved fennel, goat cheese, 12 year balsamic, Tuscan Olive Oil

Sorbetto de Limone al Basilico

Lemon Basil Sorbet

Choice of:

Filetto con Pomodori e Peperoni Arrostiti e Caramelized il Cipollini

Herb Marinated Tenderloin with Garlic, Roasted Tomatoes, Red Peppers and Cipollini Onions

Or

Pesce Spada in Cartoccio

Swordfish Oven Roasted inside Parchment Paper with White Wine, Roasted Tomatoes, Oil-cured Olives, Capers

Maccheroni e Formaggio del Tartufo

Campanelle pasta baked in Mascarpone cream with shaved black truffle

Produzione Propria Gelato con la Salsa di Cioccolato e il Biscotti

House made gelato, chocolate sauces and biscotti

We had the opportunity to speak with Executive Chef David Sacco and Managing Partner/Wine Director Stephen Palermo about the food and pairing of the BelnerO with the dinner.






The Zuppa DI Funghi Porcini provided a nice beginning
to the meal with flavors that just explode with the chive oil being a real stand out.






Sorbetto DI Limone Al Basilico provided us with a nice intermezzo and was a favorite of ours with the basil adding a nice touch.

We each had a different Entree and both were very good. The Pesce Spada in Cartoccio was a real stand out and was so tender it melted in my mouth with the parchment paper keeping the roasted tomatoes , olives and capers full of flavor to the end.

And of course the Maccheroni Al Forno in Creama DI Mascarpone con Tartufo was one we will not forget. The shaved black truffle added to the layers of flavors of this dish.

To finish , the housemade Biscotti in the Gelato Fatto in Casa con Salsa Cioccolato was a nice end to a great meal.

The BelnerO Sangiovese di Montalcino paired nicely with every course . Chef Sacco and Wine Director Stephen Palermo did a great job putting these pairings together. The pairing that really stood our for us was the Swordfish Roasted inside Parchment paper. That dish will be rememberd for a while.

The Capital Grille has a wine list with over 350 international selections and also offers a Captains List that features rare and vintage wines from all over the world. They even offer a wine locker membership for those who value their "special bottles ". The reputation of the Capital Grille is well deserved and we raise our glass of BelnerO to Chef David Sacco , Managing Partner/Wine Director Stephen Palermo and our Sommelier /Server Corey Bohanan and say Cheers for a job well done !



Join Scott from VINO LAS VEGAS as he sits down 3 stories above the Las Vegas strip and speaks to Executive Chef David Sacco and Managing Partner/Wine Director Stephen Palermo about the dinner, the wine and what the Capital Grille has to offer.