24 April 2010: It turned out to be a busy week in Hong Kong even after our trip to Europe got cancelled. Some highlights:
Tuesday: we had dinner at W52 and Richard had the Pyrenees lamb which was really tasty. I had a less impressive pasta with rather mushy scampi and watery artichokes. We opened a 1997 Giusto di Notri by Tua Rita (Bordeaux blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon). Beautiful nose and tasted well, but somehow lacked the complexity, depth and length that we were expecting. Will have to try again! The biscotti were really good at the end of the meal and I went home with a doggy bag of them!
On Wednesday, we got together a bunch of friends to indulge in really good quality French bistro food at On Lot 10. It's really the perfect spot for pulling a few corks and sharing delicious trays of côte de boeuf, fricassée of chicken and roast suckling pig with perfectly crispy skin! I was very keen on the idea of sharing at least a couple of Languedoc-Roussillon wines with our friends because we were supposed to be in that region this week. I have been very impressed with the wines from the region but I do find their alcohol levels just one degree to high to enjoy them. After a refreshing 2005 Bourgogne Blanc by Leflaive, we proceeded with our selection of red wines for the evening. We started with Paul's 2000 Chambolle Musigny Les Feusselottes, Georges Mugneret, which would be softer, much more delicate and elegant than the powerful 2005s which were already opened at 6 pm to breathe. It went perfectly with the chicken, which everyone tucked into almost as soon as it arrived!
Then we proceeded to 2005 Château Moulin St Georges, a Vauthier property, less illustrious than Ausone but equally the result of careful viticulture and quality winemaking. This blend had 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Fermented in stainless steel. Aged in 100% new oak for 15 - 20 months. It was a pretty and seductive wine, with a deep ruby core, medium to full body, soft ripe tannis, and the robust structure of 2005. Intense nose of sweet blackberry character, complemented by chocolate, coffee and spicy liquorice. Good length. It would drink even better with a little more ageing in bottle (a year or so). Went perfectly well with the beef and suckling pig. I would score it 16.5/20.
Then we came to Marius 2005. Property owned by Frédéric Engerer, director and winemaker of Château Latour. Named after his grandfather. 2005 is the second vintage. A robust, powerful, vigorous, masculine and exotic interpretation of Cabernet Sauvignon from the south of France (Côtes Catalanes). Very intense nose of black cherries, plums, dark chocolate, liquorice, with a very attractive smoky character. The intense nose was matched by the complexity, length and finish on the palate. A full-bodied wine, with plenty of vigour, robust structure and firm ripe tannins. Not really ready for drinking now but I was keen to try it again (last attempt was in 2008). Needs further ageing in bottle, at least 2 - 3 years, before the wine becomes more approachable. Only 10 barrels produced....so I'll be keeping my other 10 bottles for a while! My score 18/20.
With that, we wrapped up our evening - shame we didn't get to try the other two Languedoc Roussillon wines that I brought along! By the way, according to Debra, the whole roast rabbit is really sensational at On Lot 10 but you would need to order well in advance. I think I'll stick to chicken!
Last night (Saturday), we cooked supper at home and invited some friends round to try Richard's carbonnade de boeuf, which was a really good first attempt. Really worth a mention is the 2003 Theta by Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards from South Africa. Organic viticulture. 100% Syrah. I had been waiting to try this wine. So it was with a lot of excitement that I opened the bottle to breathe at 7 pm. I had a little taste then - very promising! When we finally tucked into the wine around 9:30 pm, I thought it was a really exciting discovery! Complex intense nose and palate, spicy, savoury, with lots of black cherry, stewed black berries, chocolate and coffee character. Well-structured, plenty of acidity and well-integrated tannins. A lengthy finish. If you haven't heard of it, do seek it out! I scored it 17.5/20.
We finished the meal with a 2003 Castello di Pomino Vin Santo (Malvasia, Trebbiano Toscano) by Frescobaldi. Beautiful amber colour, medium sweet, cinnamon, dried apricot, raisins, nutty and honey.....just perfect with the panna cotta.
Tonight, we'll be finishing off left overs and I'm looking forward to having some cheese! After years of being obsessed with French cheese, I have recently been fascinated by the high quality of some English and Irish cheeses. My current favourite is Gubbeen, a yummy Irish cheese, with a lovely nutty character and a slightly creamy but firm texture.
Hate the thought of Monday being just round the corner.........
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