Which wine goes best with a nice venison roast? Barolo, Californian Pinot Noir or a Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

2003 was a hot year in Piedmont. So, many wines were excellent when drunk young but faded away with time. This wine is an exception: The Conterno-Fantino 2003 Barolo Vigna del Gris has dried rose petals, violets and liquorice. It is full-bodied with tar and lots of melted tannin as well as an outstanding complex and long finish. 18.8/20 points.

The Kistler 2015 Pinot Noir Silver Belt Vineyard Cuvée Natalie is a great wine but too modern for our dinner. It has expressive flavours of powdered sugar, raspberry and Amarena cherries. Full-body, a long finish, balance, density and mineral. 19.3/20 points. P.S. Enjoy it the day you open it.

The Domaine De Beaurenard 2012 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Gran Partita is a traditional Chateauneuf-du-Pape with 13 grape varieties. It appears to be age worthy, unlike many other modern Chateauneuf. It displays cherry, herbs and a slightly animalistic traditional note all wrapped very nicely in a full-body. It is complex, balanced, structured and has a long finish. It has potential for a least another decade. 18.5/20 points.