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growler_southDinner was at Molten, on Mt Eden Rd. I'm just going to launch into my meal, because as fantastic as it was it wasn't the star of the evening: Parma wrapped Italian smoked mozzarella. Roasted peppers, vine tomatoes and dipping bruschetta, followed by Parmesan battered chicken escalopes. Red wine confit tomatoes, spicy merguez and onion jam gnocchi. For dessert I had Chocolate and caramel torte with whiskey ice cream and tobacco syrup, and we ordered a bottle of lovely dessert wine for the table. Gorgeous, fabulous food blah blah blah thoroughly recommended yadda yadda...
The star of the evening was something Paul pulled out of his hat. Or his wine cellar, to be more precise.
1979 Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill
I've always maintained that, while I'm not fond of common-or-garden champagne, aged vintage champagne is delightful, and this one didnt disappoint. Even if I hadnt already read every fuckin webpage on it in giddy anticipation, I would have remarked on the tiny, dense bubbles, the hint of bright citrus weaving through a full yeast and toast midrange, the remarkably long and honey-smooth finish with hints of cream. What I wasn't expecting was the way it has aged: by all accounts this champagne is a touch past its best, but to me the cognac-like tones and hints of muscat gave it a rich complexity, and the gentle shadow of oxidisation touching on the edges of your tongue lent the whole experience a ceremonial air. This wine is fantastic, and it's on the way out. Find it (if you can), buy it (if you're feeling extravagant), drink it (if you have any sense of decency and respect).
Thankyou Paul!! (Next time I'm faced with a glass of 2002 Lindauer I'm going to be unbearable.)
The star of the evening was something Paul pulled out of his hat. Or his wine cellar, to be more precise.
1979 Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill
I've always maintained that, while I'm not fond of common-or-garden champagne, aged vintage champagne is delightful, and this one didnt disappoint. Even if I hadnt already read every fuckin webpage on it in giddy anticipation, I would have remarked on the tiny, dense bubbles, the hint of bright citrus weaving through a full yeast and toast midrange, the remarkably long and honey-smooth finish with hints of cream. What I wasn't expecting was the way it has aged: by all accounts this champagne is a touch past its best, but to me the cognac-like tones and hints of muscat gave it a rich complexity, and the gentle shadow of oxidisation touching on the edges of your tongue lent the whole experience a ceremonial air. This wine is fantastic, and it's on the way out. Find it (if you can), buy it (if you're feeling extravagant), drink it (if you have any sense of decency and respect).
Thankyou Paul!! (Next time I'm faced with a glass of 2002 Lindauer I'm going to be unbearable.)
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Date: 2006-10-18 09:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-18 10:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-20 06:23 am (UTC)