Italy

Question 1

Canneto
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
2017

Aromas recalling camphor, chopped herbs and blue flower come together in the glass. On the smooth palate, fine-grained tannins envelope raspberry jam, baking spice and coffee bean notes. Drink through 2027. Score - 92. (Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, May 1, 2022)

Answer 1

Rare steak with a Béarnaise sauce

Tarragon, shallots, and white wine vinegar in the Bérnaise

Lorenzo Tili, head sommelier at The Goring agrees. ‘Bérnaise sauce requires a red wine with pronounced flavour intensity, full body, good tannins and enough acidity to cut through the sweet meat and creaminess given from the sauce.

Invented by Chef Collinet, for his restaurant Le Pavillon Henri IV (opened in 1836). Henri IV was from Béarn, France.

Question 2

Fernandez Rivera Tinto Pesquera Reserva 2019

$49.95 14%. 3 g/l

Ruby-colored wine has aromas of smoked meats, red raspberry, cassis, and anise

Ripe red and black fruit flavors of black raspberry, red plum, red currant and just a touch of eucalyptus in the post-palate

Tannins are elegant and silky and the finish is long with a persistence of freshly ground white pepper in the post-palate. Score - 94. (Mike DeSimone, Wine Enthusiast, March 1, 2024)

Answer 2

Peppercorn sauce with steak

Red wine, green peppercorns, double cream, brandy, butter