First a lovely dinner at Rockpool Bar & Grill in Sydney, some seriously fine steaks to match a stupendous wine list. Managed to find a couple of well priced drops.
2010 Domaine William Fevre Chablis Montmains 1er
I could bore you stupid with all those classic Chablis descriptors - wet stones, sea spray, iodine, but really this wine is spot on classic Chablis with great energy and freshness. the best Fevre Montmains I can recall since 2002 based on this hand grenade.
2008 Armand Rousseau Mazy Chambertin
Grated ginger mixes it up with enchantingly pure and captivating cranberry and sour cherry aromas. The palate is sexy, opulent and poised, rooted in the red fruit spectrum, with good support from classy oak. A real joy to drink even today, as it is so silky and vibrant. I can’t recall the ‘cheese and kisses’ being as excited by a wine for a long time.
last night hosted a dinner showcasing the Pinot Noir grape in all its guises, from Blanc de Noir through to a rare fortified Pinot Noir. In the mix was a lone Burgundy pitted against the locals.
2006 Domaine Rapet Pernand Vergelesses ‘Ile de Vergelesses’ 1er
A bit four-square and clunky, but with good richness, but lacking definition. Maybe a hint of VA and green stems. Not bad really as a drink, but the gathering preferred the local offerings. (Excellent 2006 Herbert Mt Gambier Pinot & 2011 Delamere Pinot from Tasmania)