24 June 2011: Picked up hired car at Heathrow Airport and we drove to Marlow to check into Danesfield House (http://www.danesfieldhouse.co.uk/). Set amongst 65 acres of grounds, in the Chiltern Hills, and overlooking the River Thames, Danesfield House is a grand mansion with a very popular spa and fitness centre. We were given a rather spacious room, with a nicely sized bathroom, tea/coffee making facility and most importantly, 24-hour wifi! The cardiovascular machines in the gym could do with some upgrading, but it was adequate and totally user friendly!
The Adam Simmonds Restaurant has 1 Michelin star and we all decided to take the tasting menu. I would probably skip the bar and go straight to the dining room, which had a lovely serenity about it, with decor not too ornate but rather stylish. Every dish for the tasting menu was perfectly proportioned that we didn't feel too full or underfed afterwards. The slow-cooked lamb loin was a real highlight as was the crab salad at the beginning, but overall all the dishes were beatifully executed and flavoured. We decided to take the cheese platter rather than the two desserts. Well-informed staff and very professional service. The only missing part was a sommelier - we were told that they didn't have one at the moment, nor was there any plan to hire one anytime soon. I rather unwisely chose a bottle of Spanish red wine from Jumilla - 2002 Casa de la Ermita (Tempranillo, Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon). I had been warned by the manager that their Spanish wine collection was collecting dust in the cellars! It was a bit alarming when the bottle was presented to me, it felt rather warm! Well, I went ahead with the selection because I was sufficiently curious about wines from Jumilla and I thought we might just be nicely surprised! The grapes for this wine were grown on the slopes at 700 metres altitude. 12-day post-fermentation maceration, plus 20 month ageing in American and French oak barrels. The result: Very spicy, stewed black and red berries, savoury and gamey. Ripe tannin well-integrated, with well-balanced acidity. Balanced and well-made, but quite full-on, a little clumsy, trying a little too hard to please, slightly lacking in depth or character. Slight bitter aftertaste. 14.5/20
The 2007 Meursault Cros du Cromin, Genot-Boulanger was much more satisfactory. Pale lemon. Nose of lemon curd, melon, fig, toast, lime blossom, showing more spice and minerality on the palate. Spicy, linear and very precise. Finishes long, with racy acidity. 16/20
A charming spot, lovely restaurant, friendly staff, very comfortable rooms (if a little uninspiring in the decor). We thought the restaurant might benefit from having a sommelier, though........
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