AB Christmas Bash

Canapés

• 2014 Domaine Tempier Bandol Blanc 89 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Pale straw. Nose initially quite mute as per the 2011 earlier in the day, but opens to a pithy apricot-scented fruit kernel nose. Relatively light and fresh with a nicely waxy texture. Decent line. Attractive. Worked well as an aperitif. ***

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Sashimi of scallops with crab, sushi rice, soy and ginger

• 2011 Vincent Dancer Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Romanée 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

  Pale straw. Really lovely. Elegant, with good line. All about nuance and balance. Persistent but not showy on the finish. Very proper. ****

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• 2012 Vincent Dancer Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Romanée 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

  Mid straw, noticeably more yellow than the 11 alongside. Rounded and a hint of opulence on the nose. Similar on the attack, and extra dimension of ripeness and flair at the expense of elegance. Finishes well though, just as persistent as the 11 and with a little more obvious grip. Good potential. ****

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Fonduta with gnocchi, oxtail sauce and truffle

• 2011 Chapelle St. Theodoric Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Grand Pin 92 Points

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

  Power and elegance. Very floral/fragrant on the nose, raspberry and redcurrant notes on the attack. Silky. Clearly a density and power here, but also an elegance and finesse. Really lovely. For want of a better descriptor, the burgundian end of the appellation. ****

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Loin of venison with kofta, red cabbage, chestnust spätzle and sauce poivrade

• 2006 Domaine Tempier Bandol La Migoua 93 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Magnum. Deep, full ruby. Combines a degree of savouriness with vibrant dark fruit. Deep and plush. Approachable, but many years of life in this. ****

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• 1999 Domaine Tempier Bandol Cuvée Spéciale La Migoua 91 Points

  France, Provence, Bandol

  Still a full ruby; a fraction lighter than the 06, but still far deeper than the 05 tasted earlier in the day. Similar to the 06 as one would expect, but a little lighter, the fruit less dense, and a savoury sous bois character that hints at a little brett-boost. Not quite up to the 06, but probably a more complete drink currently. ****

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Cheese

• 2010 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Meursault 1er Cru Charmes 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru

  Fuller and far more exuberant than the 07. A confusing whiff of vanilla. Ripe and quite fat ahead of, and around, the mineral grip. Finishes well. Slightly off bottle, or maybe a slightly awkward phase? One to leave a while I think. Bare ****

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• 2007 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Meursault 1er Cru Charmes 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru

  second nottle of this that I've been fortunate enough to enjoy in the past couple of years. Still pale straw, and with Meursault typicity. Minerality combine with a hint of warm butter. Very precise and quite long. ****

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