It was quite a line-up this year with not a ding er in the bunch. Quite a variety that was quite unexpected. They were drank in the following order:
1. Clarendon Hills Grenache 2002 Blewitt Springs
2. Domaine Dujac Clos La Roche 2001 Burgundy Grand Cru
3. Pavilion Rouge Chateau Margaux 2000
4. Tari 2009 Aglianico Taurasi Italy
5. Palmeri 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard
6. Glenelly Grand Estate 2009 South Africa
The evening started with a Piper Heidseick Champagne with snacks consisting of toasted french bread with melted Havarti cheese with fig compote and prosciutto, smoked salmon with a lemon pepper cream cheese, and marinated bananas wrapped with bacon.
As for the wines -
The Clarendon Hills provoked the most conversation. Some initially didn't think it was that good but all agreed it was amazing that the wine was still that big for a grenache after nine years. Big candied fruit on the nose and palate dominated the wine. Was great wonder on what you would eat with this wine. Sometimes, just nothing at all.
The Close La Roche was in a word - silky. Clearly this wine was hitting on all cylinders. Everything you could want in a wine. We had to remember to taste and move on because more was to come.
The second label of Chateau Margaux left nothing to the imagination. It is an aged Bordeaux at its finesse. Earth, some aged fruit and pencil let - all melding together perfectly.
The Tari was, of course, dark fruit dominated and with interesting tinge of licorice.
Palmeri - ready to drink and classic California Cabernet in the nose. What was interesting that for such a good year the wine was short. The wine may have not shown as well after all the stunning wines before it.
Glenelly was unremarkable. So much so, I don't remember a thing about it.
The meal:
Roasted Beef Tenderloin with a shallot, port, broth and mustard gravy.
Sauteed green beans with garlic, lemon and cloves.
Roasted fingerling potato salad.
Arugula and fennel salad with apricots and pistachios.
Soup - gingered butternut squash with fried sage and roasted squash seeds accompanied with a pumpkin biscuit.
That's all it!
