- Location
- London
A bit of bad diary planning meant that I really should not have been in Chiswick today but I’m mighty glad I was. Some very brief impressions
NV Egly-Ouriet Champagne Les Prémices
A cracking start. Pure and open on the nose, plenty of interest on the palate, nicely savoury
Served with a deep fried chicken wing which was perfectly executed.
2017 Chanin Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard
2016 Hanzell Chardonnay
With smoked salmon starter
Both of these were excellent and did not have that HELLO! I’m Californian CHARDONNAY! Thing that many do. The Hansel slightly fuller and rounder but both delicious
2018 Sine Qua Non Aperta
2013 Fog Monster Wines Chenin Blanc
None of us quite knew what to expect with the sqn perhaps least of all the winemaker. ‘Interesting’ can often be a polite tasting term for ‘a bit weird and not great’ but this was interesting in a good way. All of the elements appeared at different times (except perhaps the petit manseng which I’m personally not that well acquainted with). It is suggested that this would be better with serious age but there was enough development in the glass to argue for youthful consumption
The Chenin
Perhaps my lingering covid symptoms but this really did smell ‘interesting’ . TCA was floated but for me this was another issue. Certainly faulty. There was an industrial maritime memory floating about - neoprene? Ship welding? No, Tom S nailed it - epoxy resin/fibreglass. Not Chenin blanc. Bummer
2010 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon
Leon will give you a note here…
2010 Ridge Monte Bello
Full of beans. Powerful, structured cabernet. Clear quality. Perhaps more ‘Californian’ than I’m used to with ridge but then my experience here is limited. I asked if this in 20 years might develop into where a 1990 is now. The consensus was yes. I hope so.
1995 Ridge Monte Bello
A touch if Brettanomyces on the nose was surprising, but made for a great wine match with our Michelin burger.
I deconstructed mine. Truffle anyone? Foie gras? That’s without the superb Dexter beef and the pastry chef’s excellent bun. Lovely wine, lovely food
2002 Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon
From Rutherford. Perhaps the shoutiest of all. Just a touch brash but still decent enough.
2011 Quady Winery Black Muscat Elysium
Fun! 11 years old and still fresh and entertaining. It wasn’t a match for the pecan pie but both the pie and the muscat both excellent.
NV Egly-Ouriet Champagne Les Prémices
A cracking start. Pure and open on the nose, plenty of interest on the palate, nicely savoury
Served with a deep fried chicken wing which was perfectly executed.
2017 Chanin Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard
2016 Hanzell Chardonnay
With smoked salmon starter
Both of these were excellent and did not have that HELLO! I’m Californian CHARDONNAY! Thing that many do. The Hansel slightly fuller and rounder but both delicious
2018 Sine Qua Non Aperta
2013 Fog Monster Wines Chenin Blanc
None of us quite knew what to expect with the sqn perhaps least of all the winemaker. ‘Interesting’ can often be a polite tasting term for ‘a bit weird and not great’ but this was interesting in a good way. All of the elements appeared at different times (except perhaps the petit manseng which I’m personally not that well acquainted with). It is suggested that this would be better with serious age but there was enough development in the glass to argue for youthful consumption
The Chenin
Perhaps my lingering covid symptoms but this really did smell ‘interesting’ . TCA was floated but for me this was another issue. Certainly faulty. There was an industrial maritime memory floating about - neoprene? Ship welding? No, Tom S nailed it - epoxy resin/fibreglass. Not Chenin blanc. Bummer
2010 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon
Leon will give you a note here…
2010 Ridge Monte Bello
Full of beans. Powerful, structured cabernet. Clear quality. Perhaps more ‘Californian’ than I’m used to with ridge but then my experience here is limited. I asked if this in 20 years might develop into where a 1990 is now. The consensus was yes. I hope so.
1995 Ridge Monte Bello
A touch if Brettanomyces on the nose was surprising, but made for a great wine match with our Michelin burger.
I deconstructed mine. Truffle anyone? Foie gras? That’s without the superb Dexter beef and the pastry chef’s excellent bun. Lovely wine, lovely food
2002 Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon
From Rutherford. Perhaps the shoutiest of all. Just a touch brash but still decent enough.
2011 Quady Winery Black Muscat Elysium
Fun! 11 years old and still fresh and entertaining. It wasn’t a match for the pecan pie but both the pie and the muscat both excellent.
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