Lunch at l'Osier

Our first stop in what turned out to be a great gastromic adventure. Straight from the plane, to the hotel, changed into our formal stuff, and off to this difficult to book 3-Michelin starred resturant in the Shiseido building, nestled in a back-street of the fashionable Ginza district. Food was fantastic, easily the match of any 3-star around the world. Great wine-list, not too expensive either. I decided to go for wine by-the-glass instead given the varied set menu we were having.

• 2008 Grosset Riesling Polish Hill Clare Valley 91 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley

  This bottling has excellent consistency and quality across the vintages - certainly one of Australia's finest dry Rieslings. Very nicely made, although very very young at this stage. Nose had a lovely expressiveness, with lime, white flowers and mineral dancing around. As expected, tons of lime and lemon flavours and zesty acidity on the palate with some touch of grassy herbs weaved in. Still very primary, but this had a lovely clean delineation and a great fresh balance to it. Finish was very decent too, with mineral and spice notes as the wine tailed off. Give this a few more years to mature and it should be lovely.

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• 2007 Inama Soave Classico Vigneto du Lot 90 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico

  Very nice, with plenty of character. Went well with the food too. Nose was a reluctant at first, but opened up slowly to show honey, honeysuckle, chalk and a touch of apricot along with a very Italian dried earth and herb tone. Still very reserved though. Palate was rich and oily textured. Flavour-wise, very neutral and food friendly though, with subtle honey tones and white fruit - breadfruit I thought - along with touches of grassy herbs and a spicey note moving into a long minerally finish. A little bit of heat at the edges marred an otherwise outstanding performance. Still, a very much enjoyed wine.

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• 2004 Château Branaire-Ducru 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Far better than the anonymous wine it was when last tried. Rather modern, this dark purple coloured wine showed an expressive nose of sweet cassis and dark cherries, along with Cab Franc capsicum notes, all seasoned with oaky vanilla and wood spice with a dash of earth. Likewise, the palate came across very polished and modern, with plush cassis flavours wed to clean acids and fine tannins moving into a longish, spiced finish. Not your traditional Bordeaux. Still very primary, but nicely balanced and put-together. Will improve even more with age.

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