The Medlar, London
Tasted Monday, January 28, 2013 by SimonG with 513 views
A chance to taste verticals of EN's Manzanilla and Fino, with a few others thrown in for good measure, with JB. Fascinating as the wines were served single blind to see if there was an obvious aged character with the older bottlings. A resounding no. Huge thanks to JB for the invitation and for providing the wines. Can't remember a tasting dinner where the wines were of such a consistently high standard - a real embarrassment of riches. And then PD produced three bottles of Madeira served double blind. For someone of very limited experience with Madeira, a wonderful opportunity to try three wines, at least two of which I'm never likely to see again. Contemplative, sensory and a real privilege. Good also to meet JH for the first time.
32 and 8 tasted youngest and freshest. 16 in the middle and 22 least so, though it was very saline on the finish.
7 appeared the most complete and harmonious. 18 was rejected after bottling and replaced with another wine, so this was one of the few pre18 18s in existence. My order of preference 7,35,27, (18)
Gruyere de grade 24 months from BA and Comte 36months from Beillevaire
Again, huge thanks to JB and PD for their generosity. The Medlar was on excellent form. Quite simply the best meal I've had there with all the courses on top form and tremendous matches for the wines. Bravo!
NV Equipo Navazos La Bota de Amontillado 5 "NPI" 92 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda
Very rich, caramel laden nose. A touch of toasted nut. Lots of bite on the attack, clealy dry and rich through the mid palate, a touch of heat towards the end of the mid-palate and then fresh, and very long on the finish - the top notes and bottom notes especially linger long after the middle has faded. Quite intense. ****
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