Super inspired tasting and dinner last night in St James’ with Castello di Fonterutoli owner Giovanni Mazzei. 

Pairing a number of lovely Chianti Classico wines with Japanese food might not seem an obvious choice but the synergy between the tertiary flavours of the older wines and the savoury components of the food, worked amazingly well. An inspired choice.

Tasting Note: Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2013 DOCG showed a beautifully dusty, spicy aniseed root nose with ample gravelly mineral notes on display. The palate too was soft textured, plush even, with real vibrancy, fresh acids, and wonderfully expressive black cherry, licorice and black tea nuances. Very polished tannins, this is an accomplished wine. (Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Also great meeting Giovanni’s lovely wife Lara Boglione, co-founder and director of one of my local Richmond favourites, Petersham Cellar at Petersham Nursuries. Time for another visit I think!