Cascina Roera Barbera d'Asti Superiore Vigna San Martino

Fragrant nose, packed with red fruit, leather and old books. Very intense but hugely appealing to my palette. Texture is excellent. Rather delicate, but packed with flavour. Lots of perfume...a touch of lavendar and violets. Very pretty indeed. Acidity is perfect. This is drinking extremely well. The bottle says 15.5%, and this amazes me. I have never had a wine that handles it's alcohol this well before. Brilliant QPR at 22 CHF.

With lamb and veal with porcini mushrooms at San Marco in Canelli in Piedmont. Intensely flavoured, dark fruits and tannic indicates a long life ahead for this 2011 wine. Slightly hotter, higher in alcohol for my taste.