Served from a magnum, the way I usually prefer Champers. Nice little NV. Fine bead, plenty of bubbles. Nose showed bread, yeast, gentle lemon scents - rather warmly inviting. Good freshness on both the nose and palate, where I found more yeast, a fine minerality and good balance. A bit too stern initially, with a slightly bittersweet structure, but some musky white fruit added charm with time. Decent finish with a touch more breadiness, a whiff of mushroom and some oyster shell minerality.
Second time I am having this at Gunther's, and I must say that the pairing has completely changed my perception of this wine - it was a complete clash the last time. This time, it went brilliantly with the langoustine dish. Nose opened with chalky mineral and a touch of white fruit. Rather more expressive on the palate, which had flowers, grassy herbs, more white fruit, maybe a little indistinct, and with time, a touch of hay and some nice lemon citrus notes. Lots of weight, slightly oily textured, touch of oak. Decent finish. I enjoyed this.
Interestingly paired with a consomme. Not bad at all - especially with the food. Nice nose, with mahogany wood, raisins, dried figs and prunes. Rather rich and fragrant. The palate showed cherry liquer, more raisin and a pruney, finish with a touch of leather, spice cake and a bit of grip.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Côte de Beaune Villages
Very simple village, much better on the nose than on the palate. As would be expected from Faiveley, good typicity, with clear Beaune characteristics of cherry, flowers, ferrous mineral and a touch of briney, earthy funk on the nose. Briney. Very simple on the palate though. Decent balance, but just cherries, a short finish and a light grip of tannins. Ok for a quaff, but not enough strength for the really excellent and flavourful duck margret - a pity. Time to drink up - not sure this is going to improve anymore.
Had a little taste of this courtesy of the sommelier. Rather nice indeed. Sweet nose of cherry and licorice which carried on to the palate. Sweetish and simple, but well balance and yummy, with good weight and a decent finish as well. Good.
South Africa, Coastal Region, Cape Peninsula, Constantia
Best wine of the night by a country mile. Lovely with blue cheese, even better on its own. Incredibly seductive nose of dried apricots, dried figs, nectar-filled flowers and the lightest layering of buttered mushrooms, with a fresh orange peel lift somewhere in there as well. Really sweet smelling but also ever so fresh. Much the same on the palate, sweet but fresh, with lovely flavours of orange marmalade and apricot jam. Lovely. Only thing that let the wine down was a shortish finish, but my, was this ever yummy!
NV Delamotte Champagne Brut 90 Points
France, Champagne
Served from a magnum, the way I usually prefer Champers. Nice little NV. Fine bead, plenty of bubbles. Nose showed bread, yeast, gentle lemon scents - rather warmly inviting. Good freshness on both the nose and palate, where I found more yeast, a fine minerality and good balance. A bit too stern initially, with a slightly bittersweet structure, but some musky white fruit added charm with time. Decent finish with a touch more breadiness, a whiff of mushroom and some oyster shell minerality.
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