The Papies 25th Anniversary - The Fat Duck
The Fat Duck, Bray
Tasted Thursday, October 18, 2018 by Papies with 235 views
Introduction
With two of our closest friends flying in for our 25th anniversary, luck, fate & omens played their part is us getting a table at The Fat Duck.
Great to be back here post the reopening and glad to see it even better.
The food is a fairy tale, will make everyone smile and feel like a child again. All that while keeping top quality of both flavor, complexity and presentation. All wrapped up in a very welcoming setting with super attentive stuff who go through all obstacles to make one have a superb experience.
Flight 2 - Blind Tasting Game /Challenge with the Sommelier (6 Notes)
A game that begun a few years back while at the French Laudry and one we try to recreate where we find good & attentive Sommeliers.
Black glasses, no guidance, He/She chooses and serves.
Closing
We always say one might not love all the dishes but one would never be culinary complete till he/she has experienced The Fat Duck.
3 Michelin stars is an understatement here!
2005 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 92 Points
France, Champagne
By the glass at The Fat Duck, Bray. Opened on the day and used as a by the glass wine which may have tired it a bit.
A wine we usually rate 93+ , this 2005 maybe suffers a bit of over ripeness. Still very charming and elegant don't get us wrong, but lacked the spirited side, the energy we usually associate with it. Richer on the fruit, less mineral and a different dimension vs other more lean vintages which frankly we prefer. 91-92 on this 2005
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NV Gosset Champagne Grand Rosé Brut 90 Points
France, Champagne
By the glass at The Fat Duck, Bray. Freshly opened.
Quite the enjoyable rose, bright and fresh (no disgorgement date given unfortunately) , soft red fruits and in no way confectionery or sweet. Very solid and enjoyable and granted it lacks the a bit of depth and complexity. Solid 90
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1991 Cantina Terlan Rarity Terlaner Cuvée 97 Points
Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Terlano
Where does one begin to discuss about this wine.
27 yrs young, with still a fresh feel and a vibrant palate presence. Well round, silky wine but with lots of depth of flavor and has a density on the palate, light oily side, and coats the palate in full. Soft citrus fruit, light honey touch, soft caramel at times but really what dominates is healthy and vibrant green fruit. Flinty feel too almost a smoky side. Soft mineral and with lots of balance. Such an elegant wine and a testament to this great wine maker. An experience! 97
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1996 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Bonnes Mares 93 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
A wine we have tried in the past and rated 96 (may16) & 97 (feb14) clearly now well past its peak.
Not a bad wine at all or in anyway unhealthy and barring a small touch of oxidation here and there it is still very much alive. Soft, light smoky edge, well secondary, well evolved red fruits. Round and soft , delicate on the palate but still with good presence and although past its better days still for of a charm of the old like us :) . 92-93 and drink ASAP
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2016 Castello della Sala (Antinori) Umbria Cervaro della Sala 92 Points
Italy, Umbria
By the glass from a freshly opened bottle at The Fat Duck. Suggested by the excellent sommelier at the FD to match the snail porridge.
We always admire how little bit of oak adds this dimension to this wine which definitely feels a lot more oaky than it is.
Young, fresh and bright with a light glossy color. Loved the energy of this wine and blends well the green stone fruits with a tropical side of it with very solid acidity. Solid 91-92 once again
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2001 Harlan Estate 96 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Decanted for a good 30 minutes and definitely helps. One needs to forget the price of this wine. Judge it for what it is not the hyped up price.
Still very young wine, fresh, primary dark fruits, good use of oak and well managed ripeness here as expected. The nose is welcomes you in, open, singing but not shouting. And indeed this is the charisma of this wine its powerful but also elegant and in no way heavy or brash. The tannin is round almost silky but very much present, the fruit is there in loads but in balance and the length of this goes for a long time. 18 years young and easily with 20yrs more to go. 96-97 but easily could be 100 in a few years.
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