BDX themed lunch in West London
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 4:44 pm
WIMPS Bordeaux themed lunch: 25 June 2015, La Trompette restaurant in West London
Oxtail ravioli with cauliflower, girolles, fresh almonds and bone marrow
2011 Ch. Brane-Cantenac
This was a 'special bottle' and brought along by one of the guests and direct from the estate. We had fun guessing why it was special and within minutes two guests, almost in concert, discovered it was 100% carmenere varietal. We were told there are only three barrels of the stuff on the estate. It tasted like a young Argentinian wine!
2005 Ch. Brane-Cantenac
Mid-weight with a lovely tension on the palate, a charming wine that is starting to show us an inkling of its stature.
1999 Clos l’Eglise
Young, spritely, but a tad hollow on the mid-palate. Dark fruits and leather notes. 90 pts
Anjou pigeon with cracked wheat, preserved lemon, dates, rainbow chard and fennel
1996 Ch. Rauzan-Segla
Initially served too cold. Resisted the temptation to imbibe until it warmed up in the glass. Classic nose of pencil lead and blackcurrants. Mid-weight, fine tannins, refined and reserved. An elegant wine. 94pts
1971 Vieux Chateau Certan
Bit dusty to start but this blew off after a short while. Prunes, tea notes, spices and tar, refined tannins and prunes on the palate. Still enough acidity and charm to want to keep coming back to this wine. 92pts
1970 Giscours
Surprisingly dense and deep in colour. Soft sweet fruits on the nose with cigar, cedar and floral notes. Great structure and still an immense amount of tannins for its age. An impressive bottle, with a big presence. 94pts
Pol Dorset lamb with coco beans, turnips and leek scapes
1971 Ch. Haut-Brion
An enjoyable HB, however, I preferred its elder sibling on the day. A nose of tobacco and mocha, returning with hints of leather on the palate, the tannins were completely resolved and the flavours on the palate enjoyable. 93 pts
1970 Ch. Haut-Brion
My wine of the day. Exciting and lively from the first attack: red ripe fruits, saddle leather, earthy notes and hints of tar. Perfectly structured and balanced with a refined and very elegant finish. 95 pts
1970 Ch. Margaux
Others around the table found it 'thin and simple', I'd say resolved and delicate. 88 pts
Oxtail ravioli with cauliflower, girolles, fresh almonds and bone marrow
2011 Ch. Brane-Cantenac
This was a 'special bottle' and brought along by one of the guests and direct from the estate. We had fun guessing why it was special and within minutes two guests, almost in concert, discovered it was 100% carmenere varietal. We were told there are only three barrels of the stuff on the estate. It tasted like a young Argentinian wine!
2005 Ch. Brane-Cantenac
Mid-weight with a lovely tension on the palate, a charming wine that is starting to show us an inkling of its stature.
1999 Clos l’Eglise
Young, spritely, but a tad hollow on the mid-palate. Dark fruits and leather notes. 90 pts
Anjou pigeon with cracked wheat, preserved lemon, dates, rainbow chard and fennel
1996 Ch. Rauzan-Segla
Initially served too cold. Resisted the temptation to imbibe until it warmed up in the glass. Classic nose of pencil lead and blackcurrants. Mid-weight, fine tannins, refined and reserved. An elegant wine. 94pts
1971 Vieux Chateau Certan
Bit dusty to start but this blew off after a short while. Prunes, tea notes, spices and tar, refined tannins and prunes on the palate. Still enough acidity and charm to want to keep coming back to this wine. 92pts
1970 Giscours
Surprisingly dense and deep in colour. Soft sweet fruits on the nose with cigar, cedar and floral notes. Great structure and still an immense amount of tannins for its age. An impressive bottle, with a big presence. 94pts
Pol Dorset lamb with coco beans, turnips and leek scapes
1971 Ch. Haut-Brion
An enjoyable HB, however, I preferred its elder sibling on the day. A nose of tobacco and mocha, returning with hints of leather on the palate, the tannins were completely resolved and the flavours on the palate enjoyable. 93 pts
1970 Ch. Haut-Brion
My wine of the day. Exciting and lively from the first attack: red ripe fruits, saddle leather, earthy notes and hints of tar. Perfectly structured and balanced with a refined and very elegant finish. 95 pts
1970 Ch. Margaux
Others around the table found it 'thin and simple', I'd say resolved and delicate. 88 pts