The drops of pure sunshine served at our Italian Tasting last night was indeed a delightful break from what we hope is the last of this winter’s cold daily greyness and incessant showers. The Vaults of the RSA provided a magnificent backdrop to an unforgettable Italian tasting. The tasting began in the Veneto, passing through Alto Adige, Piedmont, Liguria, Tuscany, Sardinia and ended in Puglia. 
We showcased 43 wines; Spumantes, Proseccos, whites and reds from 15 different producers, from easy drinking, very enjoyable tipples to iconic Super Tuscans from Gaja, Sassicaia, Ornellaia with the presence of the charming Alex Belson and to finish Giacosa.The armit staff had the usual luck of arriving at the RSA nice and early in order to taste each of the wines side by side in the beautiful, quiet atmosphere of the Vaults. This is very interesting, because not only does it allow you to taste wines which you have enjoyed previously but it also gives you the opportunity of discovering the new babies which develop into teenagers at end of the night with the air contact they encounter during the course of the tasting. This is an important and critical part of the event because the sensations, thoughts and feelings experienced by our knowledgeable team will determine the advice they give to our guests throughout the evening.
We had a really good time pouring the wines and advising the guests, who will be providing good homes to the bottles: be it in their cellars, for those who can wait a bit or alternatively in their Euro cave for those who cannot wait to enjoy such beautiful wines. As usual, the ambience was really good and the wines indeed matched the majestic atmosphere of the Vaults.
So, once there were no more drops of sunshine to enjoy, the guests started to leave, with their impressions and ideas racing through their minds: What should I buy? How long am I going to keep it? Do I have to enjoy it right now? With what do I pair it? With whom am I going to drink it? So many questions, such a passion for wine,
Here are armit’s favourites from the tasting:
Richard Sutton :
I was fortunate to have spent much of the evening serving the legendary Angelo Gaja wines. He is, rightly, best known for his complex, powerful and long-lived Barolos and Barbarescos, but the revelation to many of last night’s guests was his classy Rossj-Bass Chardonnay. Some clients approached this initially as a palate cleanser after the big reds, and ended up declaring it their favourite wine of the night, many coming back to enjoy a second glass just to make sure. The wine is lightly oaked and has a big mouthfeel and great depth, but balanced with oodles of fruit and fresh acidity. Beautifully made wine from a master craftsman. £200 per case of 6 in Bond. Limited avilibility, please contact us.
Sesti Phenomena 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva,
The delightful Giuseppe Sesti has done it again. His wines impress me more each time I have the pleasure of their company. This is a top Brunello in the classical style from the opera and astronomy expert cum oenologist extraordinaire. Lots of dark fruit, mocha and dark chocolate, and a really long, lingering finish on the palate. Outstanding. £339.82 per cs of 6 in bond.
Hilary Howes:
Romano dal Forno Valpolicella Superiore 2004,
I may have to agree with one guest last night who boldly declared that this just might be ‘The King of wines’. Quintarellis protégé, Romano dal Forno, certainly packs a punch with his massive Valpolicella Superior. The nose is thick with Jasmine, anise and port-like dark fruit which is impossible not to be impressed with. The complexity carries through to the palate seamlessly and also suggests savoury grilled meat, violets and tar before leading in to a 60 second finish. Outstanding ! (6x75cl) @ £395.00/cs IB
Quercia al Poggio Chianti Classico,
The addition of 15% Merlot to the classical Tuscan varietal, Sangiovese, has given this fantastic Chianti a rich, cherry driven character. The medium/light body is perfect for summer drinking and the fresh acidity expected from a top class Chianti will allow this wine to be paired with all kinds of cuisines. Such a charming wine at £11 per bottle is certainly one to be kept on hand for entertaining and casual enjoyment. (12x75cl) @ £66.12/cs IB
Piers German :
Le Volte 2009, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia
One of the undoubted stars of the night with every guest remarking on the price for such quality. 50% Merlot, 30% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Really forward with plenty of luscious dark berry fruit the Le Volte 2009 is already drinking well now and displays an intensity of flavours that should see you enjoying it for at least another five years. (6x75cl) @ £65.00/cs IB
Brunello Di Montalcino 2005, Pieve di Santa Restituta,
Wow! What a difference a year in the cellar makes. This Brunello from Angelo Gaja is absolutely gorgeous now. The dark cherry fruit has softened and ripened, lots of jammy, fresh flavours that roll over the palate and linger for an age. If you do not have any in your cellar yet make sure you take some now, this is fabulous. (6x75cl) Restituta @ £180.00/cs IB (£228.15/cs inc.VAT)
Matt Thompson :
Barrua 2007 IGT Isola dei Nuraghi, Agricola Punica,
Agricola Punica are based in the south western tip of Sardinia, a area famed for its Carignano. Blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the Barrua is a rustic style in the best possible sense: dried herbs, wild berries, wood smoke and earth lead on the nose, and the palate is a rich, dark, savoury fruit driven affair with a lick of black pepper and sweet spice. Roasted lamb with oodles of rosemary and garlic would be the perfect meal. (6x75cl) @ £129.82/cs IB (£167.94/cs inc. VAT)
Salice Salentino Rosso Riserva 2007,
Comprised of 80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera, two classic staples of Puglia, the Cantele Salice Salentino is an exceptionally good value red evoking both the hot weather and cooling Mediterranean breeze surrounding the ‘stiletto’ of Italy. It is a perfect accompaniment for grilled foods as well on its own, with its spicy, herbaceous nose and deep, velvety palate. Perfect now and will keep for the next couple of years. (6x75cl) Cantele @ £38.38/cs IB (£58.21/cs inc. VAT)
Steve Weids :
Bruno Giacosa’s Barbera d’Alba 2008,
It’s absolutely spectacular ! At this price, it is hard to imagine wanting to drink anything else. The lovely richness of the wonderfully ripe fruit combined with the warm spiciness and long lingering finish, make this an absolute must. Think of a slow cooked shoulder of lamb, and a Hummm ! (£195.00 In Bond or £258.30 Inc per 12)
Sassicaia, Guidalberto 2008,
A recent gold medal winning wine at the International Wine Challenge, it wasn’t hard to see why Colli di Luni’s Vermentino was so popular last night. It has a beautifully inviting, floral nose with orchard fruit but the palate is flinty, crisp and incredibly pure. A really polished white that is a regular in my rack at home at the moment.
Sperss 2005, Angelo Gaja £675.00 IB per 6
It’s always hard to pick a favourite from Gaja’s range of Piedmont reds, especially given how every cuvee on the table was showing brilliantly. The 2005 Sperss was my personal pick. This is a wine that, having been hidden behind its dense tannin and acidity, is now emerging from its hibernation – smoke, morello cherry, tar, spice and meat unfurled on the nose and palate as the evening progressed. An amazing Barolo that will only keep on getting better.
Charles Lachaux :
Gaja, Pieve San Restituta, Brunello di Montalcino Rennina 2004.
This Angelo Gaja Sangiovese is absolutely fantastic ! A very nice wine coming from 100% Sangiovese, all the grapes from the same vineyard. A good ruby color, the nose was open, spicy with a hint of chocolate and fruity. Very round and soft mouth with good balance and acidity, and a long finish. Definitely the kind of wine now to have with a good medium-rare cooked steak and homemade mashed potatoes with the final touch of black truffles on it... (£ 350.00 in Bond, £432.15 inc VAT) Limited avaibility.
This was a really nice and amazing night, picturing well with the quality of the wines served. Many thanks to the producers for a such nice range of wine and also thanks to all the people who attended and were part of the magic of this event.
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