I had wanted to grill steaks for the 4th – but my plans took a turn when I went to Costco. In the cooler with Prime steaks (in the blue trays) along with the usual strip steaks and rib-eyes, they had a pair of double thick rib-eyes. I was immediately taken with the idea of bistecca alla fiorentina, and so started thinking of Tuscan reds instead of California cabs or good Bordeaux.
The first course was fat ripe figs wrapped with prosciutto (both from Costco) and stuffed with a dab of gorgonzola (from elsewhere) before being heated to melt the cheese and tighten up on the prosciutto. Then we had a “crispy ravioli” made with fresh mushrooms and fresh smoked mozzarella. I had opened the 1997 Ornellaia (which is, I think, 100% cabernet) thinking we would have it with the steak. As it happened it went very well with the first courses. It was rich and round and sweet smelling and delicious. I’m not good at formal tasting notes but this was one of the best reds I have had in a while and I would say it’s just about 100% ready. More about the food in the Culinary topic here.
Then we had the steaks, with the first corn on the cob of the season, and Tuscan green beans, cooked with red onion slices and olive oil. This all went very well with the 1995 Fontodi Flaccianello, which I think is mostly Sangiovese. Clearly more acidic than the Ornellaia but with a real subtlety, it did not feel like a step down from the Ornellaia and that is saying something. Great with the steak.
For dessert, mango sorbet, vanilla ice cream, and oatmeal craisin cookies with white chocolate chips and fresh roasted, fresh ground espresso. Life is good.
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Looks tasty but it’s the porterhouse you need for bistecca alla Fiorentina!
1997 Orny rocks. And what a great sounding meal! I have never had the 1995 Flaccianello, but in general I find this to be a pretty beautiful wine, vintage in and vintage out. Heck, I had a 1996 Flacc that was pretty freaking classic and awesome, and clearly 1995 is a stronger vintage. Good show. I would trade my dinner (lamb-burgers and SQN) for yours in a heatbeat!
And Keith, Ribeye, Porterhouse, whatever. To me the best part of the prep is the steak atop of the melting rucola, lots of shaved Parmesan, and maybe a hint of a drizzle of balsamic. Makes me want to go back to Tuscany!
Loved the 1997 Flaccianello I had a few months ago. Will be on the look out for the 1995
Thanks for the notes. BTW those are some good looking steaks!
Thanks Alan. Good luck finding older Flaccianello, I can’t even reconstruct how I came by that bottle, except that I have been buying it as a prime example of what Super-Tuscans are about for about 20 years. For people who love and understand great Italian reds, it could be a better choice than the Ornellaia, which has a whiff of California about it.
imports on Independence Day?
Well, I explained the logic up at the top, the thought was steaks to have with Insignia or something like that. But the steaks steered me over toward Italy.
I hope nobody in Napa Valley goes out of business as a consequence.
lol, economy is not that tough!
i have friends who are predominantly Cali drinkers who exclusively drink French on Independence Day, a thank you for Lafayette and the support of our fledgling country during The Revolutionary War.
You inspired me. Had the 97 Ornellaia with dinner (steaks) tonight. It was very nice, very soft, tannins had integrated nicely. Very nice, but subdued nose, with a hint of forest floor and nice expression of red fruits which had not faded at all. Seemed like the alcohol was quite low, no heat and it just went down so easily. 95 points.