Red wine recommendation for a steak dinner

WINE TALK
1

Hi,
Thanks all for your great advice on my first Bordeaux purchase! I will keep you posted on this.
Now, on another note, I’d like your recommendations for a red wine pairing for a steak dinner. Usually, I’m happy to trust the sommelier, which I will do if the restaurant has one. However, most frequently, in this region restaurants rarely have a sommelier and if they offer wine advice it’s often a little over-confident and under-informed, unfortunately. So, I’d like to go in with a few wines in mind.
With regards to my palate (apologies for cross-posting), I was raised on Pinot (mainly Burgundy and Germany). I’d say I appreciate both wines in the accessible new natural style and in the traditional fashion with a fine-boned and ethereal presentation. Recently, however, I am becoming more interested in wines with a more tannic structure. I like traditional or sustainable wineries (not necessarily certified). I’m fond of wine-making that takes place in the vineyard and not in the cellar (I’m aware that that’s an artificial bifurcation). I don’t like high abv, a lot of new oak, over-ripeness, and too much extraction. However, I wouldn’t mind trying a modern style wine as well. Just a few times I had the chance to sample a Super Tuscan and found these interesting, although not necessarily wine I’d want in my own cellar.
I don’t want to spend more than 130 Euro, preferably less (I’m aiming more for something between 40 and 70 Euro, however, I want to have some wiggle room). Since I drink a lot of Pinot Noir (specifically from Burgundy and Germany), I’m more interested in other grapes/regions. Particularly, I’m curious about Rhone, Bordeaux, Loire, Tuscany, and Piemont or, in other words, these grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbect, Petit Verdot, Carmenere, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsault, Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Grignolino, Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Pugnitello.

Here’s the link to the wine list: https://restaurant-heyligenstaedt.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hotel-heyligenstaedt_weinkarte.pdf

I thought about this one:
2018 Brunello di Montalcino Toskana Argiano: 97 Euro

Other wines that struck my interest:
2019 Barolo “Monfaletto” Piemont Cordero di Montezemolo: 99 Euro
2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Villa Antinori Toskana Marchese Antinori: 69 €

Thanks in advance!

2

with steak it’s very easy for me: a dry red wine which I like solo will also go well with the food.
I personally won’t order Italian but French wine - depending what’s on the list - but it s up to you

1 Like
3

If wanting a Barolo (and fwiw I think it can work very well with steak, especially in taming tannins), the Scarzello popped off that list for a) being a traditional style producer, so no intrusive oak and b) it’s got some age on it (12 years). It’s not a vintage I know well, and whilst initially falling under the radar of the 2010/2013 vintages, seems to have done well.

So that’s one I’d suggest having a look at Cellartracker tasting notes, to see how it’s travelling.

Personally I’m not a fan of Cordero di Montezemolo, with what little I’ve tasted being very underwhelming, and seeing them consistently in commercial settings like airport duty free shops.

1 Like
4

Thanks Paul, I was thinking of a dry red wine. I don’t have a general preference for either French or Italian wine. I care more about region/grape variety/vintage.

5

Ian, thanks for this. Well, let’s cross out the Cordero di Montezemolo then. Wrt to the Barolo, thanks for the recommendation of the Scarzello. However, I can’t find anything on it on ct: 2012 Scarzello Barolo, Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo - CellarTracker

6

I would go with the Argiano from that list.

2 Likes
7

I think this would be it Search tasting notes for 'Scarzello Barolo Del Comune di Barolo 2012' - CellarTracker

Most recent tasting note positive, the earlier one less so.

1 Like
8

Thank you Stephen, I appreciate this. Do you have experience with the producer/vintage? Just curious to learn more.

9

Ah, excellent, that helps a lot.

1 Like
10

I have had other vintages and Argiano is a quality Brunello that will give you a good reference point. I believe the 2018 was the WS #1 wine of the year. Brunello is a classic steak wine and that is basically retail price here in the US.

1 Like
11

Thank you, that helps a lot!

12

I’ll second the Argiano recommendation. I haven’t had the 2018, but the 2016 was really good.

1 Like
13

Not an answer to your question, but I’d go to that restaurant just to drink 2002 Cristal for €225. And, to my palate, that would go just fine with a steak.

9 Likes
14

It’s not a bad wine list, just not a very exciting one (to me). Agree with Ian the 2012 Scarzello Barolo would be my pick as well among the Italian wines!

1 Like
15

Knipser Cuvee X
The price is shameless though

16

I agree, unfortunately it’s one of the better ones in the region. Thanks for backing up the barolo, it’ll be a tough call to make between the brunello and barolo

1 Like
17

Thanks! Could you say something about the Cuvée/producer? I’ve also been wondering about the markup. Is 3x normal?

18

No, 3x is not normal.
A blue chip estate from the Pfalz, best known for their Reds. Cuvee X is a typical Bdx blend, it could be mistaken for a good say Medoc, if not for a fine chalky note (not unexpected in this terroir).

1 Like
19

I don’t know if it will sway you but I reckon a 2012 at the moment might (or might not) be more exciting - should be in an interesting spot!

1 Like
20

Only other comment might be to consider what sauce or accompaniment there will be.

2 Likes