Ristorante La Fattoria

There are Italians and there are ITALIANS...a small pizzeria or trattoria can have it's attractions...but we have been regular visitors to our favourite Ristorante 'La Fattoria' for over 20 years.This is a top-end restaurant...with food to die for...a superb atmosphere...you never leave feeling cheated...owner Chester Sauri still enthusiastic.and head waiter Daniello a walking dynamo..throwing in a song or two on request!

I usually take a bottle of red along...choose a white from the diverse wine-list.This time...I spent the first 30 minutes choosing both white and red.

Jermann Pinot Grigio 2006
Friuli, Italy

Fresh..minerally..spicy nose..good texture..
quite luscious..stylish..nutty..complex..
but very drinkable.

Points 16

Argiolas Turriga 2000
Sardinia, Italy
The Turriga is a single vineyard wine, 85% Cannonau..known elsewhere as Grenache..and a mix of Malvasia Nera, Carignano, and the very obscure Bovale Sardo.
From particularly low yields, the grapes are
vinified traditionally and the wine is then transferred to new French oak casks for a period of approximately 18 months maturation.
Deep ruby red...full-bodied wine with aromas of
cherries & blackcurrant..some burnt smoke...chocolate....
big & chunky at first..became round and smooth...spice, tobacco.Needs meat to show it's best..which is what
it got..my favourite main course..duck filet
with figs and dates...luvverly!

Points 17+

Red Sky Means Good Wines

Mixed weather at the moment..sometimes we get red sky in the morn'...which means rain...
Rain sky at night..shepherd's delight...and so I got on my bike and cycled to our local bistro.

Robert, Volker & lil 'ol me...we meet up at Bistro Mitch..they pay the food.. I bring the wines.

This time round..a white I have had before..was new to them both...Banfalu.
The main wines were red..served blind..they have to work while I grin..

Aldinger Fellbacher Lämmler ***
Lemberger 2005
Württemberg, Germany
This spends 16 months in new oak barrels.
Opened before the guests arrived...and after pulling the cork I was hit by a gorgeous smell...oh man..they will enjoy this one.

Medium deep colour...then the nose..spices & herbs..thick black cherry aroma..some cedar and walnuts..tobacco and vanilla; you would expect a BIG mouthful..but this is instantly cool...fine oak balance..continuing the great start..perfect weight and the finish lasted 60 seconds.
Points 17.75+

Rudolf Fürst Spätburgunder
Centgrafenberg 'R' 2004
Franken, Germany

Chosen to follow the Lemberger..me thinking it would outclass it..how wrong I was.
We compared them..and no way did the first wine suffer.

Medium deep with pale rim..strawberry mousse aromas..creamy..(15 months in 100% new French oak)...deep and meaty character, with smoky minerality coming through..palate was intense and long with ripe tannins. Certainly very good..and my guess is I would have marked it higher..if drunk by itself..but there was that Lemberger....

Points 17.5+

The Lemberger is 15 Euros cheaper..nuff said.