Dinner with Alex

Had a meal with Alex because Fiona was away in Switzerland and he wanted some drinking company. We had a great meal, with a trio of roast meats (goose, pork and char siew pork neck), sauteed beef with garlic slices and Imperial Treasures signature Truffle and Enoki Mushroom Mee Pok (yum). The three reds were all served blind by Alex. Moscato was bought on the fly from Oaks downstairs.

• 2003 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  From a 375ml that had been opened a day ago. Alex told me that it was drinking far better now than when he first opened. Served blind, I guessed 2004 Chianti Classico at first - with a proviso that it may be a well-made 2003, which it was. Purple core, pink rim, slightly garnet at the very edge. Long legs pointed to the rather heavy alcohol that translated to nail varnish on the nose and a flash of heat at the mid-palate - that was where the 2003 came in. Other than that, this showed really good typicity, with a funky Leather and barnyard nose, mixed with clear cherry accents. On the palate, good mouthwatering acidity which made me think 2004. Lots of animale tones, with bright cherries, strawberries and a touch of italian herbs in the medium-length finish. If I had a bottle, I would be keeping it for some time.

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• 2001 Château Paloumey 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

  50% Cab Sauv,40% Merlot (which was very obvious) and 5% Cab Franc. Drank from a 375ml. Purple colour, just a little murky at the core, but that may have been the soft lighting. The red rim was just beginning to lighten. A large dose of umami and soy on the nose on first pour, but this faded after time to show flowers and cherry. The palate had very obvious, almost tartish acid and lots of primary cherry fruit with a shortish finish that closed with a twist of herbs that glided along silky tannins with a bit of a bite at the tail. Fresh. Pleasant. Light. Simple. Served blind, I thought new world Burg or right bank Bordeaux at first, before settling on 2001 Margaux - I was thinking Du Tertre or D'Issan - so I was rather surprised to find out it was a Cru Bourgeois. However, the wine took on rather modern nuances with time, haw flakes on the nose, with sweet strawberry and cherry and oaky flavours coming to the fore. After an hour or so, it started fading really, really quickly. I would never have guessed it to be a classed growth at this point. It was a really pleasant wine though, and went really well with roast goose. We found out later that Decanter magazine had listed this as one of the best value 2001 Bordeaux in their September issue.

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• 2004 Château Latour à Pomerol 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  I felt guilty of infanticide, even though we were drinking from a 375ml. Darkly Purple coloured with a pink rim. Served blind, I called it a St Emilion from 2002 or 2004. 90% Merlot, 10% Cab Franc - but I would have sworn there was a whole lot more of the later. The nose was deeper, richer and plusher than high-Merlot content Cru Bourgeois that we had alongside, but still came across a very reticent, with forest floor, cedar, tobacco, plum and cassis lurking quietly behind closed doors waiting to be coaxed out. Similarly backward on the palate. Clean, fresh acid wth fine grainy tannins, but rather gentle still, with bell peppers and a touch of dark cherry. Very St Emilion. I found it a little watery in mid palate at first. The wine almost flattens out. Finish was decent but unmemorable. Alll in all, it left the impression of being pleasant, but light and unsubstantial. Thankfully, it did get better with time, taking on cigar box on the nose, some spice and a more open palate, with plush dark fruits and bits of spice beginning to show. Here at last was Pomerol and the Merlot speaking. This wine has the right constituent parts and it should do well with time. Still, not bad on the night, and it certainly played off the Truffle Mee Pok dish that we had alongside beautifully, somehow drawing the truffle flavours out.

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• 2007 Vignaioli di S. Stefano (Ceretto) Moscato d'Asti 87 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Moscato d'Asti

  Pleasant quaffer to end the meal with. Nothing to shout about though. Fizzed vibrantly for about half a second when first poured, then died down quickly. The sweet nose showed muscat, sultanas, flowers, and pink pomelo. The palate was pleasant but seemed much simpler though, with muscat and white fruit flavours dominating, a touch of musk and a quick flourish with a slight pomelo bite. Good way to end the meal.

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