All these wines were excellent - from the entry-level aperitif to the aged complexity of the Ornellaia; we matched them with some appropriate Italian food - wild boar stew with chestnuts, griddled aubergine bake with tomato and cheese sauce, peas with shallots and parma ham, baked vegetables with tomatoes and dill.
Ca' Bolani Frizzante Prosecco NV elegant entry-level semi-sparkler; crisp orchard fruits, pleasant mousse, easy-drinker
Cervaro Della Salla 2005, Umbria IGT, Antinori complex oaky Chardonnay / Grechetto blend with ripe tropical fruit, freshness and body. Long finish; the oak dominates a little, still feels young.
Dolcetto d’Alba Rubis, Rocche Costamagna, 2010, Piedmont poised juicy black cherry with some spiciness; a little closed up now but, like a shy party guest, should open out with time
Barbera d’Alba Superiore Rocche delle Rocche, 2010, Piedmont ripe red and black fruits with some toasty oak; lovely texture, drinking very nicely now.
Alpha Zeta A, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, 2005 a big, ripe but not blowsy wine with lots of everything - ripe dark cherries, fruit cake, vanilla and coffee; starting to gain some aged, mellow character, but feels still youthful
1999 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia 'Ornellaia' Bolgheri Superiore, Toscana wonderful aged, complex gamey Bordeaux-blend super Tuscan drinking beautifully now; dark fruits, spice, cigar box and chocolate-espresso with a lovely texture - very accomplished and only just mature.
Fontodi Flaccianello Della Pieve 2009, Sangiovese, Toscana red and black berry fruit with violets, wild herbs, liquorice and some earthy leather
Other related articles
On Mature Bordeaux (And Others)
The Third Cambridge Tasting - Dinner at The Gonville
Italian Wines from Marks and Spencer
Private Cellar - website
Rocche Costamagna - website
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