Sunday, 16 January 2011

Slow-Cooked Lamb Shoulder and 2002 Domaine de L'Hortus Grande Cuvee

16 Jan 2010: A quiet day in HK.  Just perfect to catch up on some reading and some cooking.  Richard cooked a 3-hour slow cooked lamb shoulder.  The evening started with a bottle of 2000 Corton Charlemagne, Bruno Clair.  Bright golden colour.  Evolved palate with layers of lemon curd, pineapple, figs, spice, toast, smoke and grilled almonds.  Full-bodied with a creamy texture, bolstered by sufficient acidity, lengthy spicy finish.  Drink now - 2014.  It  demonstrates well that 2000 white burgundies for the most part need drinking now/soon! 16/20

Our red wine of the evening is a 2002 Domaine de L'Hortus Grande Cuvée, a blend of 60% Mourvèdre, 40% Syrah and 10% Grenache.  I was a little nervous serving it as I did not know what to expect - I had brought it back from Carcassonne to HK about 18 months ago, the first time I visited the region!  Ruby core.  A very attractive nose underlined by fresh cherry and blackberry fruit, layered with chocolate, black pepper , liquorice, wild herbs and an animal savoury character.  A wine speaking of elegance, harmony, delicacy, perfume, finesse and character.  Still vivacious with good level of energy and a refined but firm struture.  Another interesting aspect was the more palatable level of alcohol at 13.5%, and it's a wine from the Languedoc region!  17/20 

 By the way, Richard's slow-cooked lamb shoulder was so good that I had seconds! The leftovers would make a great lamb sandwich tomorrow!

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