Bibi Graetz Dinner
We were delighted to hold this exclusive sell out event on Tuesday 27th September at Langan’s Brasserie, Mayfair, London. We were joined by the highly knowledgeable and jovial Filippo Frullini, Sales Director at Bibi Graetz, who explained the history and uniqueness of the fabulous wines from their stunning Tuscan estates in Italy. We learnt that production started in 2000 when Bibi, the owner, winemaker and former artist set about creating one of the great wines of Italy. Bibi Graetz produces a number of wines from his seven vineyards that total around 80 hectares, with more vines being planted on new recovered land that in a number of years will substantially increase the size of the vineyard. All of the red wine and the bulk of the production is vinified in Firesole, a small high altitude town that looks down over Florence. It was great to see hard core members and regular tourists in the Williams, Sjoblom, McGrory and Drabwell couples as well as Richard Kelly and his wife Ashley, and Rich Irwin with his children Ben and Elizabeth. From the investment side of the club Martin Jepson and David Maisey both attended bringing a guest each, and other friends of Jeremy’s, Michael Kennedy and Tom Starkie together with a guest of Tom’s, all of whom we hope will join the club. We enjoyed a high quality meal in Langan's private dining room and started with our club sparkling favourite from Sussex, Rathfinny Classic Cuvée Brut 2018, with the following wines selected to pair with the crab starter, beef cheek main course and assorted cheeses that we enjoyed for desert.
- Bibi Graetz – Testamatta Bianco 2020
- Bibi Graetz – Testamatta Red 2020
- Bibi Graetz – Colore Red 2020
- Bibi Graetz – Testamatta Red 2016
The Testamatta Bianco was a revelation, not just for its grape variety, the rare Ansonica grape grown on the small island of Giglio off the SW Tuscan coast that is often associated with Sicily, but also its luscious stone fruit and dry peach notes – something to impress with at your next dinner party perhaps? The two red wines from 2020 were clearly young, but displaying very elegant and structured notes. The Testamatta (literal translation- Crazy Head!) was delicate with an interesting summer fruit and smokiness on the palate, great acidity and a long finish. The more grown up old vine Colore shared many of the attributes of its sibling, however it evolved in the glass showing layers of gentle fruit and spice with a whiff of camphor. This wine has been rated at 98/100 in different years and is a hit with serious consumers. Our final wine was one from our current list, the Testamatta 2016. In keeping with all of the reds, it is a 100% Sangiovese grape and hence loyal to its Tuscan roots. 2016 was a hot year and this is evident in the wine which is deeper and darker in colour than the others and shows more backbone, darker fruit, plummy raspberry and spice. An ideal pairing for the cheese as it turned out! The 2020 wines have been purchased by Waud Wines and will be delivered in November as they have yet to arrive with our Négociant in Bordeaux, from where these rare wines are shipped around the world.
