Lunch Group does Bistecca at Casa Tartufo

Bistecca time again, this time at Casa Tartufo, where the delicious beef was matched with a yummy black truffle pasta and some wonderful buratta and fresh tomatoes. The meal was delicious, the company was great as always, but what really highlighted the lunch was the lovely pairings that the two wines that we brought made with the food.

• 2004 Scarpa Barbera d'Asti La Bogliona 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti

  Nice stuff. This had a beautiful nose, really feminine and seductive, with lots of violets and floral petals, nice dark cherries and strawberry aromas, beautiful gravelly mineral scents, and a light wreath of smoke - tons of character. The palate was very pleasant too. It did not have the greatest depth or power, but this was made up for by a lithe, graceful feel in the wine's high-toned flavours of dark cherries and ripe strawberries underpinned by a pats of earth, dried herb and bittersweet mineral. This was a wine full of clarity and energy, with a lovely ring of acidity driving it into a fresh, lively finish. Lovely silky tannins too. It needs a few years to peak, but is certainly drinking well enough now, especially when paired with a black truffle paste - that was heavenly.

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• 2004 Cecilia Beretta Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 91 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

  Once again, this was a yummy wine that showed pretty nicely without quite being great. It had a attractive, if just rather reticent nose, with typical aromas of sweet berries and black cherries, smoke and spice, earth and meat, and a touch herb and briar and sweet flowers. Nice stuff - actually less sweet smelling than your usual Amarone. The palate had a nice richness to it, with ripe, sunny flavours of dark cherries and blackberries, but these were lined with a lovely bright acidity and fine, slightly chalky tannins. The great and balance and structure on it really kept the wine beautifully drinkable. It then finishef with a nice flourish of mineral and final kiss of bramble and herb. While nothing really complex or special, this was very much enjoyed by the table - it was also a pitch perfect pairing with a lovely cut of Bistecca Fiorentina. A bit better than the last outing; I suspect this will be quite right for drinking in 2-3 years' time, although the structure will allow it to age for some time to come.

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