SOLD OUT
On Thursday 13th December we are hosting our final wine dinner of 2012, in one of our favourite dining rooms in London, the private room at the River Café, with the wines of Castello del Terriccio.
Patrick Sandeman was the first ‘outsider’ (not from the estate staff) other than the consultant oenologist Carlo Ferrini, to taste these wines, back in the early ’90s. He was immediately taken with the character produced by such young vines, and immediately placed the estate’s first export order. L&S’s relationship with the Terriccio has deepened over the years since, and Pucci (aka Gian Annibale Rossi di Medelana Serafini Ferri, Terriccio’s owner) visited the shop at 170 Fulham Road shortly before Patrick left us.
Terriccio is one of Tuscany’s most beautiful estates on the Maremma coast with wonderful views out to sea, and the fresh coastal breezes and clarity of light that allow the vines to grow so healthily. The wines here have been made by Carlo Ferrini since the very beginning. He, like so many of the best winemakers, has cut back on the amount of oak used, there is a purer expression of fruit and a greater lift in these wines.
Tassinaia, the fabulous value wine of the estate, continues to enchant. It has a fleshy softness and easy appeal, but also a satisfying amount of character and density, making it a treat at a price which can still allow a weekday indulgence
Lupicaia, the top wine the estate, very much reflects the same character of Terriccio; spice, balsam, eucalyptus and depth of fruit, but with a classical balance, a restrained power. We may have been guilty in recent years of under-selling this wine, as we remembered the pricing of the early vintages, but relative to both Bordeaux and most other Tuscan greats, it does in fact remain great value.
‘Castello del Terriccio’ (destined to become known simply as ‘Castello’) is a relatively new wine to the estate, based upon Syrah, Mourvèdre, Tannat and Cabernet Franc. All the 2006s are truly gorgeous.
The most ‘junior’ wine of the estate is Capannino, made from young vines and barrels and vats which do not quite fit the blends of the other wines. As such it’s own blend can vary rather wildly from vintage to vintage, but it has always offered really striking value. The pure Merlot Capannino 2010 is another in a long line of such bargains.
Thursday 13th December 2012
7.30 pm for 8.00pm dinner
£145.00 per person to include a four course dinner and all wines.
A four course dinner in the private dining room of the famous River Café which will consist of antipasti to start and then a choice each of Primi, Secondi and Dolci or cheeses.
The red wines will be presented by Giuliana Cavazza of Castello del Terriccio.
White wine
2011 ZUANI Vigne Bianco Collio
Red wines from Castello del Terriccio
2010 CAPANNINO Castello del Terriccio
2006 TASSINAIA Castello del Terriccio
2004 TERRICCIO Castello del Terriccio
2006 LUPICAIA Castello del Terriccio
and an older vintage of each of the three top wines.
Places are limited to only sixteen guests so please respond quickly if you would like to join in on this unique dinner in the private dining room of the River Café.
To book and pay for your tickets please call Colin Patch (colinp@leaandsandeman.co.uk) or Emerson Herdman (emerson@leaandsandeman.co.uk) on 020 7244 0522
Tickets must be paid for at the time of ordering and no refunds will be made for cancellations.