We welcomed in the Winter season at the Chesil Rectory with an exclusive wine-tasting dinner with the renowned Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, hosted by the charismatic Matteo Zanardello, their long-standing European Export Area Manager. 

We had the unique opportunity to enjoy some of the finest wines from Ornellaia, including some of the best vintages of the past decade. Not only that, we were pouring from a range of formats – single bottles to 6 litre Imperials!  

We kicked off the evening with a glass (or two) of Louis Roederer Collection 244 and a short welcome speech from Matteo, introducing Tenuta dell’Ornellaia and giving us a little history behind the wines on show. The Roederer was showing beautifully – plenty of crisp stone fruits, honeycomb, white flowers, buttery pastry, and a core of citrus fruit, bright acids and a crisp saline finish – and everyone enjoyed the Chicken Liver Crostini, Fried Bocconcini & Seabream Crudo canapes.

We starting serious stuff with Le Volte 2018 poured from Imperial (6L bottle). Le Volte is aged for 10 months partly in barriques used for the famous ‘Ornellaia’, and partly in cement tanks to obtain the perfect balance between tannin structure and expression of fresh fruit. It was stunning with Head Chef Damian’s Locally Reared Game Terrine, Red Onion & Damson Chutney.

The 6L (very heavy) bottles didn’t stop there – we moved on to Le Serre Nuove 2016 which is the result of an exceptional vintage in Bolgheri. Controversially we paired a fish dish with this one BUT the meaty Monkfish with Prosciutto, Crispy Sage, Tuscan Bean & Chorizo Stew definitely held its own against the ripe red fruit, spice and lush tannins – lots of smiley faces here. This wine is perfect for immediate enjoyment but also has an extraordinary ageing potential.

We concluded the ‘big red’ portion of the evening with a vintage comparison of the Ornellaia 2013 and Ornellaia 2020.

The 2020 had a stunning nose of ripe red fruits and delicate vanilla and gentle tobacco notes. It was rounded and velvety, tannins were dense yet elegant and the finish was long and savoury. The 2013 was an amazing partner to demonstrate the ageing potential of this wine, with aromatic complexity of brilliant fruitiness alongside refined spicy and balsamic notes. Those vibrant and complex fruity notes sat side-by-side with very well integrated tannins – a rare harmony between firmness and fleshiness. I paired this with a super rich and savoury Glazed Ox Cheek, Polenta, Porcini Mushrooms, Black Truffle & Scorched January King Cabbage – one word – WOW. 

As a final hurrah, providing some respite from those big wines, we had some Ramos Pinto 10yr old Tawny Port with a Twice Baked Pecorino Souffle & Balsamic Roasted Figs. 

A stunning evening from start to finish and much fun was had all-round.

Cheers to Ornellaia!

The Chesil Rectory is dedicated to providing outstanding wine-tasting events and wine dinners highlighting the finest Great British dining in Winchester. Stay tuned for future events and wine tastings.