Midweek drinking... 19 July to 22 July

This is getting a proper seeing-to in the next 30 minutes. Been a tough day. Straight from fridge... warming up quickly in the glass. Lovely wine.

Also got 2 CHUNGOUS-ENORMOUS t-bone steaks - selected by my son as a reward ... who has finished school today with a report card that would have warranted a beating outside school if he lived in Lincolnshire in the 80s... lots of A+. Swot.

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Paul J a i n e s said:
This is getting a proper seeing-to in the next 30 minutes. Been a tough day. Straight from fridge... warming up quickly in the glass. Lovely wine.

Also got 2 CHUNGOUS-ENORMOUS t-bone steaks - selected by my son as a reward ... who has finished school today with a report card that would have warranted a beating outside school if he lived in Lincolnshire in the 80s... lots of A+. Swot.

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A well done to your son
And to you, for selecting the ‘16. I’ve a tranche of ‘15 (it’s OK) but my understanding is the ‘16 is a clear notch better.
 
Simon Reilly said:
Listening to Aberdeen’s annual short foray into Europe in the garden with this….

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the oak is a smidgeon too present for my liking but enjoyable nonetheless.
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Here's my recent TN.
  • 2019 Bodegas Rafael Palacios Godello Valdeorras Louro do Bolo - Spain, Galicia, Valdeorras (16/06/2021)
    Primrose colour; zesty nose, good focus backed by a swathe of richness; snappy palate, high acidity, has depth; zingy, forceful finish. Needs more time to knit? Doesn’t entirely convince. (89 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
I shall leave the next bottle alone for a while.
A perennial favourite, but this bottle didn't quite hit the target,
 
So made it to Whitstable; as impossible to get into Sportsman without lots of notice we ate extremely well at the Samphire Bistro. I opted for a Gusbourne Brut as our first 'holiday' night out of the house for over 18 months, but server suggested we try a Westwell Pelegrim NV, classic chard/PN/PM blend and very pleasant it was too, perhaps not linear enough for those who favour BdeBs but quite full with a bit of brioche going on. Mark up was very modest so £45 for some very decent bubbles in a well run restaurant is very fair indeed. At £29ish retail I might hesitate but in the circumstances a very happy chappy.
 
I fancied a little Chenin this evening, but it seems that I’ve only fancy Chenin in the cellar, so we opened a 2015 Sadie Family Skurfberg which is just lovely, it’s got fruit, honey, baking spices and toasted nut, there’s a bit of flinty smoke in the background, the oily texture is very satisfying and pairs somewhat unexpectedly, but beautifully with buttered new potatoes from the garden and salad
 
Mark Carrington said:
And to you, for selecting the ‘16. I’ve a tranche of ‘15 (it’s OK) but my understanding is the ‘16 is a clear notch better.
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I agree - the 15 has a little gritty bitterness to it - the 16 is just rounded without being fruity or OTT. Either way, both wines are stupid value for money. I have said it many times before, but a gent of this parish who runs a wine establishment in central london had (I recall) the 2012 on Friday afernoon tasting... it reinvogirated my taste for modest Bordeaux. Now I buy it every year - and many other similar wines.

I feel liberated.

As for the steaks - gorgeous....I spent 3 hours with my 13 year old at the kitchen island prepping and teaching him how to cook the steak.... we thought we'd slightly overcooked it on the BBQ but actually it was perfect... a lovely evening chatting about food and wine and science and (truly) how to overthrow authoritarian regimes disguised as democracy (his subject not mine!!)

I almost feel the future in safe(r) hands....
 
Pinot theme where a generous person brought a 1998 Meo.Unfortunately didn't like other wines much (including my own sadly), the differences between new world and Burgundy Pinots were so stark that it wasn't difficult to call them blind. Got two of the wines I had before blind (the Chinese Pinot and the Domaine Serene) which was a plus I suppose. The same person brought the Chinese Pinot when I had it last year, comfortably the worst wine tasted last year and this!

  • 1998 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Aux Boudots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru (21/7/2021)
    Lovely aged Burgundy, the depth and finish showed its pedigree. Bit of smoke and damp mushrooms on the nose, a hint of spice that made me guess Vosne which made sense since this plot is right on the border. Fully resolved, drink up before the acidity takes over.
  • 2012 Domaine Lignier-Michelot Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny (21/7/2021)
    Pinot tasting so wanted to bring a Burg that leaned towards new world keep people on their toes, and everyone did guess new world. Slightly darker fruits and made in a more extracted and oakier style. Still drinking very youthfully, with air it became more elegant and Burg-like.



Last meal before another lockdown in Singapore.
  • 2017 Wittmann Westhofener Aulerde Riesling Großes Gewächs - Germany, Rheinhessen (22/7/2021)
    Bought a few Wittmann based on hearsay that they are similar to Keller for a fraction of the price, decided to check in on one. Rich, intense nose of petroleum, slightly oxidative and sherry-like. On the palate it had very ripe yellow fruits with a lengthy finish. But somehow GGs always taste a little unbalanced for me for some reason, so still not the biggest fan. This is still very young though and will hold for a long time.
  • 2018 Domaine Duroché Gevrey-Chambertin - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin (22/7/2021)
    Needed time to settle down, some reduction and funk at the start. Initially a little jammy and simple but became more balanced with air. Duroche always has a lovely good texture and mouthfeel, but this was missing a little elegance that I loved from the 17. As with most wines from this vintage, it was a little too concentrated with dark fruit for my liking, even though it it still relatively restrained with respect to other producers' 18s.
 
Clos Floridène blanc 2014 - this has developed considerable body and force since last tasted 18 months ago. Lovely colour. Razor sharp key lime to taste. Long. Mouthwatering, both literally and metaphorically. No hurry to drink up.

Domaine Tempier Bandol rosé 2017 - in peak form and just lovely. My platonic ideal of a rosé. Full-bodied, sensuous perfume, creamy red fruits, flowers. No point keeping any longer because it's so good now.

Barbaresco Riserva Moccagatta, Produttori Del Barbaresco 1970 - now then. Colour as per the picture. Incredible tertiary aromas of old leather books, undergrowth, pot pourri, church incense. Underneath that, a captivatingly intact and vigorous harmony of fruit and acidity. Magical old nebbiolo. A gift to the present day from half a century ago. We lingered a long time over it. 101 pts.

moccagatta.jpg
 
Drinking the temperature this week...so last night we drank Martin Gojer's Pranzegg label (from Bolzano). His and Marion's "Vino Rosso Leggero" was lovely served fully chilled. It's Sciava and Lagrein direct pressed but fermented on white grape skins. Initially it tastes very much like a white wine but as it warmed outside it turned into very pure cherry juice.

Also enjoyed Vino Magula's Orange Wine (Slovakia) earlier in the week.

Tonight we have a pink Crémant d'Alsace lined up from Rieffel, though we may save it and hit the MUZ (Partida Creus) instead. My patent long negroni variation involves gin, vermouth, orange juice and tonic water, served on lots of ice, mint and a slice of orange and/or lemon.

By the way Thom (if you are around/recovered), highly jealous of your lunch with Tim/RL/JG et al. What did you think of Tim's SB? I've known Tim for a number of years but his secret does seem well and truly out now. I saw one of the CH Saffers on the table. We opened one last year in similar weather but I chilled it a little. 15% is a tough glug in 28-30 degrees. Respect (as always).
 
Having been seduced by Steve Browett's enthusiasm for all things Kumeu River I decided to revisit this winery after last purchasing the 2000 en magnum. I sourced a bottle of the 2019 The Stables.

Even though I couldn't obviously taste the wine blind on my own (!) I tried to detach myself from the label as much as possible. I have to say I am pretty impressed. It reminded quite a bit of Jadot white burgundy of old. Almost like a middle ranking 1er cru from Puligny-Montrachet or a top ranked vineyard from one of the satellite villages such a St. Aubin, and at a price that doesn't make your eyes water.
 
Yesterday we went to Portland Restaurant in Great Portland Street for a micro-office lunch, first in a while, and the cooking was amongst best I have had in some time.

We started with a bottle of Wiston Estate NV from the list which worked well until we got to mains. The ESW showed elderflower and tennis shoes on the nose, with a brighr acidity, some zesty complexity and white flowers on the palette, and with a reverberant finish. Lovely.

After the first amuse bouche (no pic) we began with some options from the Snack Menu, I had Devonshire smoked eel, seaweek & creme crue (bottom right).


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Next up was Isle of Mull scallop, tomato, strawberry & wild fennel

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For mains I had Belted Galloway sirloin, salt baked beetroot, shallot, ox tongue sauce, girolles & tarragon. This was sublime.

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The mains above was paired with 2010 Giacomo Fennochio Barolo Villero a BYO served pop and pour. Tar and rose petals on the nose, real energy, concentration and structure on the palette. Lovely but not nearly ready.

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We then had cheese before desserts

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Followed by walnut tart with plum sorbet

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Overall - the cooking was masterful and rightly stole the show, and great to catch up with colleagues, and I ended up drinking the lions share of the wine (as only 3 out of 4 of us were drinking!). The atmosphere at Portland is casual and friendly and it is well worth a visit. The wine list is perhaps not as extensive as forumites might like so at least corkage at £25 is reasonable and worth utilising.
 
Graeme Harvie said:
Yesterday we went to Portland Restaurant in Great Portland Street for a micro-office lunch, first in a while, and the cooking was amongst best I have had in some time.

We started with a bottle of Wiston Estate NV from the list which worked well until we got to mains. The ESW showed elderflower and tennis shoes on the nose, with a brighr acidity, some zesty complexity and white flowers on the palette, and with a reverberant finish. Lovely.

After the first amuse bouche (no pic) we began with some options from the Snack Menu, I had Devonshire smoked eel, seaweek & creme crue (bottom right).


View attachment 20255

Next up was Isle of Mull scallop, tomato, strawberry & wild fennel

View attachment 20256

For mains I had Belted Galloway sirloin, salt baked beetroot, shallot, ox tongue sauce, girolles & tarragon. This was sublime.

View attachment 20258

The mains above was paired with 2010 Giacomo Fennochio Barolo Villero a BYO served pop and pour. Tar and rose petals on the nose, real energy, concentration and structure on the palette. Lovely but not nearly ready.

View attachment 20257

We then had cheese before desserts

View attachment 20259

Followed by walnut tart with plum sorbet

View attachment 20260

Overall - the cooking was masterful and rightly stole the show, and great to catch up with colleagues, and I ended up drinking the lions share of the wine (as only 3 out of 4 of us were drinking!). The atmosphere at Portland is casual and friendly and it is well worth a visit. The wine list is perhaps not as extensive as forumites might like so at least corkage at £25 is reasonable and worth utilising.
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I’ve loved Portland when I’ve been and always taken wine as they are v open to that. They have a nice private room downstairs that would fit 10 probably, would be a good spot for an offline…
 
Graeme Harvie said:
Yesterday we went to Portland Restaurant in Great Portland Street for a micro-office lunch, first in a while, and the cooking was amongst best I have had in some time.

We started with a bottle of Wiston Estate NV from the list which worked well until we got to mains. The ESW showed elderflower and tennis shoes on the nose, with a brighr acidity, some zesty complexity and white flowers on the palette, and with a reverberant finish. Lovely.

After the first amuse bouche (no pic) we began with some options from the Snack Menu, I had Devonshire smoked eel, seaweek & creme crue (bottom right).


View attachment 20255

Next up was Isle of Mull scallop, tomato, strawberry & wild fennel

View attachment 20256

For mains I had Belted Galloway sirloin, salt baked beetroot, shallot, ox tongue sauce, girolles & tarragon. This was sublime.

View attachment 20258

The mains above was paired with 2010 Giacomo Fennochio Barolo Villero a BYO served pop and pour. Tar and rose petals on the nose, real energy, concentration and structure on the palette. Lovely but not nearly ready.

View attachment 20257

We then had cheese before desserts

View attachment 20259

Followed by walnut tart with plum sorbet

View attachment 20260

Overall - the cooking was masterful and rightly stole the show, and great to catch up with colleagues, and I ended up drinking the lions share of the wine (as only 3 out of 4 of us were drinking!). The atmosphere at Portland is casual and friendly and it is well worth a visit. The wine list is perhaps not as extensive as forumites might like so at least corkage at £25 is reasonable and worth utilising.
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That looks fab. And yes deffo worth while exploring a potential offline!
 
The scallop (sliced) paired with strawberries worked surprisingly (and unexpectedly!) well, although if I went again I would definitely try Mutton tartare, with Exmoor caviar, goat's curd, egg yolk, and anchovy crisps.
 
Thom Blach said:
A bottle of the 'L'ancien' 09 was terribly disappointing the other week, lumpen in the way that warm vintage Beaujolais can be.
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I have enjoyed the Brun Moulin a Vent 2009 in fairly recent times. Good but needs drinking up. L’Ancien was really interesting in the mid 1990’s: alc degree was 1% or less than is the case today. And Brun’s wines are still (relatively) on the lower side. Another problem around this time was Brun’s use of synthetic corks … I think most of the 2007 Ancien was under than, but only around half the 2009. The synthetic closure ones died fairly quickly.
 
Graeme Harvie said:
Yesterday we went to Portland Restaurant in Great Portland Street for a micro-office lunch, first in a while, and the cooking was amongst best I have had in some time.

We started with a bottle of Wiston Estate NV from the list which worked well until we got to mains. The ESW showed elderflower and tennis shoes on the nose, with a brighr acidity, some zesty complexity and white flowers on the palette, and with a reverberant finish. Lovely.

After the first amuse bouche (no pic) we began with some options from the Snack Menu, I had Devonshire smoked eel, seaweek & creme crue (bottom right).


View attachment 20255

Next up was Isle of Mull scallop, tomato, strawberry & wild fennel

View attachment 20256

For mains I had Belted Galloway sirloin, salt baked beetroot, shallot, ox tongue sauce, girolles & tarragon. This was sublime.

View attachment 20258

The mains above was paired with 2010 Giacomo Fennochio Barolo Villero a BYO served pop and pour. Tar and rose petals on the nose, real energy, concentration and structure on the palette. Lovely but not nearly ready.

View attachment 20257

We then had cheese before desserts

View attachment 20259

Followed by walnut tart with plum sorbet

View attachment 20260

Overall - the cooking was masterful and rightly stole the show, and great to catch up with colleagues, and I ended up drinking the lions share of the wine (as only 3 out of 4 of us were drinking!). The atmosphere at Portland is casual and friendly and it is well worth a visit. The wine list is perhaps not as extensive as forumites might like so at least corkage at £25 is reasonable and worth utilising.
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Glad to see Portland on great form. Obv not been since Covid but on the list for a return. Equally pleased to see your comments on the Villero '10 as I have three bottles of that. I hope I live long enough to enjoy them at their peak.
 
I’m not sure of the disgorgement date, but a new-liveried 95 CH B de Millenaires for lunch today — the name being painted on the glass rather than as a traditional paper label — off the list at the Angel @ Hetton. Not as rich as the original disgorgement with which I’m fairly familiar, a little hollow on the mid-palate initially, but coming together after a couple of hours and showing more as I remember the original. Still a lovely wine.
 
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