Blind tasting and dinner at Enoteca La Vecchia Bottega del Vino

Antonio and Gino had prepared the table for 8 people, six glasses each, and custom/numbered glassmats and space for the notes. Nice touch, Ragazzi! There were two no-shows from eBob (!), so we decided not to open the Sassicaia and went with four of our bottles blind and two bottles, not blind, off the menu. The blind theme was simply red wine and all we knew in advance was that there were two Italians, one Australian and one New Zealand. Since I brought the Clearview and the Ornellaia, I had a slight advantage.

• 2002 Clearview Estate Enigma 93 Points

  New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

  Deep ruby red. Sensations of sweet/ripe fruit complemented by rich earthiness as it evolved in the glass. Acidity was on the low side, tannins were rich and smooth, alcohol was warming. Great length and complexity; beautifully crafted. Clearly New World styling, but it was so good I thought for a moment it might be the Ornellaia.

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• 2002 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  Nice matte ruby colour. Some bottle stink that blew off in a few minutes revealing rich roasted/toasted earthiness (but clean earth). Dark/ripe fruits, which were not so evident on the nose, were evident on the palate. High level of smooth tannins; acidity was low; alcohol did not seem too high. All in all, it was beautifully balanced in its structural components. Full bodied, rich, long, complex. Could be nothing else but the Ornellaia.

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• 1996 Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra

  Ruby in colour. Fairly intense nose of sweet fruit and eucalyptus. Medium+ /smooth tannins; sharp and slightly unintegrated acidity (acidified?); high, but not oppressive alcohol. Very good wine, but not quite in the same league as the Clearview and Ornellaia.

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• 1997 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Mature ruby colour. Roasted nuts, cola (kola), wood and a little fruit on the palate. Medium level of slightly rough tannins; much higher acidity than the others, but that very pleasant kind of acidity. Easy to pick this as a Sangiovese, but not so easy to narrow down appellation and year. Perfectly sound Brunello, but not exceptional in spite of its vintage.

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• 2003 Ferghettina Franciacorta Satèn Millesimato 85 Points

  Italy, Lombardia, Franciacorta DOCG

  We wanted a Franciacorta to go with the cheese plate, so Antonio recommended this. Nice youthful nose of citrus, apples and apricots. Fresh acidity. Lively, lovely, uncomplicated wine.

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• 2006 Beni di Batasiolo Moscato d'Asti Bosc dla Rei 85 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Moscato d'Asti

  Moscato d’Asti with the dessert course (which was three different fruit crostate made by Antonio). The sweet, acidic, low alcohol wine was a perfect match.

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This was the first time we’d asked to do this at the Enoteca in the Ghetto and it worked out perfectly. Antonio and Gino said we could do it anytime. Fridays around 17.30 should be ideal, as we can go straight from work and we’ll have the place almost to ourselves for the first two hours.