Popped round to this bloke’s place to evaluate a cellar he would like to sell. When I was picked up in an Aston at 11:30 AM, I knew things were going to go well. With his blessing, I grabbed a few bottles for a shared lunch outside on the terrace in the sun – as follows:
Appetiser: BBQ Scampi in a garlic and parsley butter
2000 François Raveneau Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot
Delicious - powerful yet complex with a persistent dry finish. Elegant.
17/20 MDK
Main Course: Slow Roasted Shoulder of Pork (3 hours) in milk, white wine with a fennel and apple rub. Boiled potatoes with Parsey and butter, Stir fried finely sliced brussel sprouts with chilli, garlic and red onion.
2006 Mersault –Genevrieres , JF Coche Drury
Decanted for 1 hour and served at 13 degrees. This was sublime brilliance in a glass. Cracker Chardonnay at its very best.
18.5/20 MDK
1985 Rayas CNDP Reserve
Decanted 2 hours – a brilliant wine – power delivered across the palate, you could almost feel the grapes and taste the sun on the stones. Completely ready to drink although probably has another decade in it. Fantastic Grenache.
18.5/20 MDK
1985 Lafleur, Pomerol
Decanted 2 hours – initially had a few sharp edges, could have been mistaken for a wine 10 to 15 years younger. Finally, it opened into a brilliant expression of Merlot. I understand why this estate gives Petrus a run for honours now and then... Blimey, this was captivating.
18/20 MDK
Dessert: Passonfruit Crème Brûlée
1945 D’Yquem
Fornicate with my ancient footwear, stunning wine. Cork very shabby, wet, just held together, but wine so delicious, deemed unaffected. Treacle brown in colour, smelled of ancient sweets from my childhood, golden syrup, hints of pastry shop sweet butter baking aromas, very sweet lemon and (baked?) mandarin - so much in a glass. Botrytised thickness to the texture, you could have eaten this wine. Further notes illegible...
19/20 MDK
Other wine was consumed post the 1945, but it paled into insignificance in the presence of such greatness.
(Prior to lunch when alone in the cellar, I placed the 1948 d’Yquem and the 1947 Cheval Blanc in the far corner and cable-tied them in place for my next visit... I am definitely going back!)
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