Wimps Mardi Gras

What a lunch over on Wireless Table. Fellow diners gave a real treat with the wines they provided. Food was as ever great, the onion soup and venison were out of this world.

Anticipation was sky high, sommelier ponders the condition of the wine.

• 2006 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Bright lemon notes, fun but clearly not firing on all cylinders. Cork was clearly bad and it’s surprising this was even this good.

  Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

Let’s go. Classic Alsace, new wave burgundy and a new age South African.

• 2005 Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile 93 Points

  France, Alsace

  Subtle petrol and marzipan, grand and rich, spicy. Nice showing of a classy wine. White of the lunch.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2017 Paul Pillot Bourgogne-Aligoté 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Bourgogne-Aligoté

  A different style to the other whites, linear and dry, nice citrus and good with food.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2020 Sadie Family Sémillon Kokerboom 92 Points

  South Africa, Olifants River

  Still young but already delicious, this opened up with storm fruit and gooseberries, then some hay and wool, maybe one for the future but pushing the Riesling close already.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Food was very 1980s French bistro, but it’s classic for a reason.
Two very different reds, each at the opposite ends of their drinking window.

• 1997 Famiglia Anselma Barolo Adasi 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Opens with black tea and floral notes, really got into its stride with air, showing spice drawer and autumn notes. Has that feeling of just holding on but keeps delivering(like me this morning). Maybe a little outclassed but going on, so holds my interest.
  

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2010 Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja Reserva 92 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja

  Quite the charmer, soft sweet cherry fruit and vanilla oak. What I love about Rioja it just so friendly even if this has years to peak. Time in the glass brings more balance and cinnamon spice.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

What a dish, autumn eating at its peak. It’s Pingus not pingu.

• 1999 Dominio Pingus Ribera del Duero 95 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  Dark and lush. Blackberry and current fruit, vanilla and spicy oak, mellow tannins and balanced acidity: all make this a delight.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1996 Le Logis de la Bouchardiere Chinon Les Cornuelles Vieilles Vignes 90 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon

  Pencil and leather dominate the nose. Freshness and balance. It’s a lovely glass of wine and still going at this age. Seems a little straightforward and out gunned today.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Now the end is near we faced….our Pana cotta.

• 2009 Château Climens 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

  So much to taste. There’s hints of honey, caramel, roasted peach, ginger, and each sip brings more. It never becomes too sweet always balances. Years to go yet lovely now. I really liked this.

  Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

It’s surprising how quickly a bottle can be opened. Hedonism heroes.

• 2007 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva 93 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  A bit of an afterthought, the reserve wine opened because we could(thanks Stephen).
  Lots of sweet dark fruit, cinnamon and smoke, leather just comes through. It’s at once ready, the balance is already there, yet will offer more in years to come. More structure than the Remiraz, more traditional and great treat to end on.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Thanks to all on our table, to all the staff and Don who organised despite being away.
What I learnt, I should drink more Riesling and semillon. Make more room for Ribera in my cellar. And drink more water too.