Dinner with the Cassettas

The Square, London
Tasted Monday, September 25, 2006 by Russell Faulkner with 817 views

Introduction

A superb evening, all wines taken with food, which was fully worth of its two michelin stars, in my case:
Risotto of Lobster
Ravioli of girolles, vinaigrette of Tuscan snails, artichoke, summer truffles and almonds (truly great)
Loin of lamb with aubergine caviar, olive gnocchi, caramelised garlic and rosemary
Poached pineapple with tropical fruit jelly and lime ice cream.

Many thanks again to Jeff and Anita for bringing such great wines.

Flight 1 (11 Notes)

  • NV Jacques Selosse Substance 95 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    Massive rich bakers yeast and peach nose, very smooth, refined palate, supple with soft but present acidity, a surprising lack of oxidative notes. Super.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2002 Sine Qua Non Whisperin' E 92 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    Mid yellow to gold, dry hay, light flowers on nose. A peculiar wine, is both light and heavy at once, the floral viogner backed up by the power of the Roussanne. Oak leaves just a slight bitterness on the finish, alcohol (15.5% fully integrated.)

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1990 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 97 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Beautiful nose, a mix of dried blood, moltern iron, iodine and minerals. Palate leads with soft cherry, but an overriding roast meat and dried flowers. Oak grew with time in the glass, bringing caramel and faint vanilla, the only wine to really show any oak. With more time in the glass it went feral, a headonisitic beast, overtaking La Turque. Super.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1990 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 98 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Nose is lighter, more restrained, more 'burgundian', and so fragrant. Very supple fruit, much more layered fruit profile, solid acidity with light tannins, amazing texture, a wine to relax into, so elegant.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1990 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Turque 96 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Initially strong fruits, but dried porchini and jugged hare took over quickly, ended up pretty much the middle ground between the othe two La Las, steely minerals and raspberry fruit, initially light tannins that come out of hiding with a little time in the mouth, refined herbal notes on the finish.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2004 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Châteauneuf-du-Pape 90 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Textbook young grenache with smokey dried herbs, very solid tannins, perhaps a little brash but too young to realyl understand.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1998 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Faulty - seemingly a mix of VA and brett. A shame.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2001 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois 95 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    I was surprised how restrained this was, soft ripe fruit but with a solid tannic kick, high acid. Very long smooth wine, I hope with time the beautiful dark cherry and strawberry notes are balnced by savoury herbs that are currently in the background. 94-96 Points

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2003 Sine Qua Non Syrah Papa 95 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    Black wine, strong vanilla, dark plum and grape. Such a lush velvet texture, the taste is almost secondary, light but pinching acidity, a hint of smoke. It is not over-oaked, overly jammy or overly acidic, though my main concern it is seems a little heavy. Excellent stuff though!

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1989 Domaine Huet Vouvray Cuvée Constance 94 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

    Golden marmalade, a hint of golden syrup and raspbery slush puppy. Very bright fruit, soft acidity, a touch of dieselm very well blalanced, berhaps the acidity could have been more rigid, and a bitter finish let it down. I am sure this was not the best bottle of this.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1970 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Slight spirity edge to the nose, some nutmeg and christmas cake, still very primary, soft fruit and dark chocolate. Can't rate.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

×
×