Dinner with Cuvee Elisabeth Salmon, Unico, Evangile and more

Met my usual group of wine aficionados again last night for dinner and had some amazing wines. Started with this sublime vintage rose Champagne that I remember having last time about 1-2 years ago, but from a different vintage, 2000 if I remember correctly. We had all Champagne’s from the Zalto white wine glass that I find it complements a lot the way Champagne tastes like. Probably the only issue here would be that it does not stimulate enough the bubble persistence as the regular sparkling glass does. As aromas are concerned, I believe it focuses very well the full aromatic profile of the Champagne.

2002 Champagne Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Elisabeth Salmon Rose has a light coppery color with small and rich bubbles. This is a Champagne to keep in the glass and smell it over and over as it changes its aromas constantly. It starts fresh and classy with small red berries, dough and a salty seashell aroma, and, with air, it develops pomegranate and pink grapefruit. Gracious but powerful in the mouth, it has a strong backbone of acidity and discreet tannin, with layers of flavors that build like a skyscraper on the palate, creating a sense of immersion and depth. Long finish that goes on for good seconds. This is a very elegant and classy rose that I absolutely love. (96/100)

First red of the night was a high roller that got awarded a perfect 100 points by the Wine Spectator. The 2005 Chateau L’Evangile was decanted for about 2 hours before being consumed. The color is dark red garnet. Nose is already expressive and very complex, with a ripe but fresh profile. Lavish aromas of plums, sour cherry, dark chocolate and ink build a complex aromatic profile that just continues to develop new aromas in the glass. Silky smooth on the palate already in spite of its high velvety tannin structure, it is profound and rich, with lush flavors of chocolate and black cherry, gravel minerality and paprika. Long finish, combines fruit and bitter sweet chocolate in the lingering aftertaste. It disappeared from the glasses fairly quickly. (97/100)

A friend said that today it is at its peak and there is not more to develop from now on. I believe it will be on this plateau for many years to come and that it will develop into an even more interesting wine. Future will tell.

2010 seems to be THE vintage for Brunello di Montalcino. I believe most of the wines coming from reliable producers will develop and surprise wine drinkers in time. It should be a strong addition for the cellar.

Pieve Santa Restituta Sugarille Brunello di Montalcino 2010 from Gaja is a youthful and powerful wine today. It sports a deep red garnet color. Even after 3 h in a decanter the wine continues to be shy in revealing its full aromatic profile. There are of course fruity aromas of black cherry, sour cherry and blackberry, well complemented by spices and blue flowers, but you can feel that not everything is disclosed yet. On the palate it is powerful, with assertive velvety tannin well dressed into rich layers of red and black fruit and spices, with fresh aromatic herbs that give depth. Long finish, tannin is assertive again and indicates patience is required. (94/100)

Also decanted for about 3-4 h, the 2007 Vega-Sicilia Unico is a wine to keep on smelling and discovering in the glass. It has a deep red garnet color, and since my last encounter this bottle shows a slightly different aromatic profile. Yes the oak is still there but not that prominent, and there’s a new layer of dill and orange peel that did not feel it before. Rich and powerful on the palate. (94/100)

Two more Champagne’s were served. A 2003 Dom Perignon Rose that has a deep red onion peel color with abundant mousse, a rich and vinous mouth-feel. It feels denser and has a completely different personality compared to the previous Cuvee Elisabeth Salmon. If that was ethereal, the Dom Perignon Rose is robust and swings in full throttle. (95-96/100)

Last wine of the night and a first time for me was the 2004 Champagne Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame. It has a light yellow lemon color, with tiny and rich bubbles. Fresh but complex on the nose, it has lots of citrus fruit, brioche and nuts, with a rich palate of pear and Granny smith apples, mouth watering acidity and appealing elegance. Long and refreshing citrus fruit finish. (94/100)

That was the end of a fun and engaging dinner with friends.

Dinner with Bouchard, Pegau, Billecart-Salmon, Cristal and more

A friend from abroad was in town this week so we ended up having dinner at a favorite for me now: La Brasserie Bistro&Lounge. As we both fancy wine, there was a good line-up prepared and as usual there were initially planned 3 bottles, but eventually we ended up having more between our small group of 4.

Started the night with this 2003 Bouchard Vigne de l’Enfant Jesus that was popped and poured and barely had time to breath over the 1 h it lasted. This is a most unusual Pinot Noir in the sense that it has the mark of the hot 2003 vintage with ripe fruit and medium to low acidity. The color is deep ruby red. Nose is already expressive and developed well into a complex mix of sweet blue and red fruit, Asian spices and some discreet shades of undergrowth, keeping fresh. It has a denser than you might expect mouth feel, with a fleshy texture where velvety and smooth tannin mixes well with lavish layers of ripe red fruit and tea leaves, preserving balance and freshness. Long finish, aromatic tea leaves and red fruit jam. Really enjoyed it. (94/100)

A bottle of 2010 Domaine du Pegau Cuvee Reservee Chateauneuf du pape was opened and left to breath since lunch time so it had about 8 h to aerate. Nose was interesting as usual but the mouth feel was bad. There was just too much VA in it to be able to enjoy it. Certainly not the wine that I had several months ago. (Not rated)

Decided to shift palates to more tension and bubbles so a 1999 Champagne Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Nicolas Francois Billecart was served. This is a wine that I had several times already this year and I like it more and more. It feels the wine is in the right spot today and should be holding well for several more years, but why wait when it is so good. It’s got a rich mousse with plenty of tiny bubbles and a nose that sports intense aromas of smoky citrus fruit, caramel and biscuit. Very tense and razor sharp acidity after the reds, with smoky seashell and bright grapefruit palate. Long. (93-94/100)

Decided to stay on a similar note with high acidity and citrus fruit so a 2013 Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur was opened and decanted. Yes decanted. This has lots of chalky minerality, citrus fruit and Granny smith apple aromas. Mouth watering acidity, it combines very well ripe citrus fruit, wet stone minerals with riper flavors of grapefruit and chamomile. Medium plus long finish, lively citrus fruit. (92/100)

When in doubt and want some tenser and riper refreshment go for a rose sparkling, preferably a Vintage. Champagne Bollinger La Grande Annee Rose 2004 is a Champagne for the long run and mostly a keeper. Some Champagne should be decanted. We did not do it, but I would recommend it. Light coppery color with small and rich bubble. Complex from the beginning it just got better in the glass in time. Intense and fresh nose filled with pink grapefruit skin, small red berries, citrus fruit and minerals. Very tense on the palate, it feels it has a Baroque type of structure of tannin and acidity that still hides its aromatic layers. Good potential here. (94/100)

Last wine of the night was Champagne Cristal 2007. This punches the nose with smoky aromas of seashell, dried meat and citrus fruit. Razor sharp acidity at this stage, it needs time in the glass to get softer to reveal lively lemons, slate minerals and smoke, with a clean and sharp focus. Medium plus long finish, very fresh and a weightless mouth feel that makes it so easy to drink. (94/100)

Ended the evening quite late and had a hard time finding a cab to get home. That was a first and very unpleasant to stand up in the cold street waiting for a taxi to take my order.

In saptamana dedicata femeilor va propunem o seara cu degustare de Champagne

România nu este o țară ușoară pentru bărbați. După un vestic Valentine’s Day și un tipic românesc Dragobete, la începutul lui martie trebuie din nou să arătăm afecțiunea față de doamne și domnișoare. Dar nu disperați, Nicușor Cazan aka “Romanian Wine Events” și Cosmin Grozea alias “From Grapes to Wine” vă sar bărbătește în ajutor:

Seara cu sampanii fine

Mergem pe rețeta clasică și delicioasă a șampaniilor franțuzești și adăugăm un pic de bun gust românesc. Așa că ce vă propunem este:

• Champagne Veuve Fourny Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru La Fracheur (92/100 R. Parker, 4**** 17,5/20 Decanter Magazine Juillet 2011)
• Champagne Veuve Fourny Cuvee R Extra Brut Vertus L’Opulence (93/100 R. PARKER)
• Champagne Veuve Fourny Rose Premier Cru Brut Vertus La Subtilite (93/100 R. Parker)
• Champagne Henri Giraud Hommage a Francois Hemart Ay Grand Cru (93/100 R. Parker)
• Champagne Bollinger Rose NV (WS 93, WE 91, CT 90, ST 90, Jancis Robinson 17/20, Decanter 18/20)
• Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose NV (Gilbert & Gaillard 96/100, ST 92, WS 92, WE 92, Decanter 19.5/20)
• Știrbey Spumant Crâmpoșie Selecționată

(Legenda: WS – Wine Spectator, WE – Wine Enthusiast, RP – Robert Parker, ST – Stephen Tanzer, JD – Jamie Goode, CT – Cellartracker.com)

Șampania trebuie asortată cu mâncăruri fine așa că Restaurantul Dada se întrece pe sine și propune aperitive savuroase (da, acel restaurant Dada cu expoziție de colecții vestimentare și accesorii, adică genți):

Tartar de somon fresh pe ciupercă asezonată cu ierburi provençale

Tartar de ton cu măr, busuioc fresh ușor picant

Tartar de sardină, sfeclă și dulceață de clementine

Degustarea va avea loc joi, 7 martie de la ora 19:30, la Restaurantul Dada (Strada Matei Voievod 94 bis). Sunt 12 locuri disponibile și fiecare costă 285 lei, sumă care include șampaniile, aperitivele și prezența noastră agreabilă.

Rezervări la +40 722 141 879 (Nicușor) sau +40 723 240 102 (Cosmin)

Câteva cuvinte despre șampanii:

Am ales Veuve Fourny pentru că este creata de un producător mic și artizanal din Champagne. Șampaniile lor sunt produse din vițe de vie clasate pe cea mai de sus treaptă din Vertus iar creatorul lor are inteligența de a lăsa terroir-ul să vorbească. În cazul Cuvee R dozajul (amestecul de vin proaspăt și sirop de zahar) este aproape zero, rezultând o șampanie autentică, expresie de puritate și vigoare a solului din care provine. Vinul este fermentat și maturat în butoaie mici de stejar, rezultatul final fiind o șampanie plină, opulentă și extrem de interesantă.

Henri Giraud este produsă și maturată asemenea unui vin alb din Burgundia de cea mai bună calitate. Provine din parcele de vie clasificate Grand Cru și este maturată timp de 6 luni în baricuri de stejar. Se folosește același tip de stejar ca și în cazul șampaniei Dom Perignon. Rezultatul este o șampanie care combină efervescența unui spumant cu bogația unui vin alb.

Vă propunem Bollinger nu doar pentru că suntem fani James Bond sau pentru că știm cât de mult îl apreciază doamnele pe Daniel Craig. Ne place Bollinger pentru că vinurile sunt realizate cu atenție și migală, producătorul folosind vinuri maturate în baricuri de stejar chiar și pentru șampaniile Non-Vintage.

Ne place Billecart Salmon pentru ca este detinut de aceeasi familie care a fondat afacerea in 1818. Sampania Cuvee Nicolas-Francois Billecart 1959 a castigat primul loc intr-un concurs in care au intrat 150 dintre cele mai bune si mai fine sampanii produse in secolul 20 devansand Krug, Dom Perignon sau Cristal in topul preferintelor juratilor profesionisti. Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose NV este o sampanie de gastronomie care suntem convinsi ca va va cuceri imediat.

Dorim să dăm o notă de autenticitate românească, așa că am inclus în selecția noastră și unul dintre vinurile spumante unice de la noi: Crâmpoșia Selecționată de la Prince Stirbey, singura de-acest fel din lume, creată de Oliver Bauer la Drăgășani.

Puteti descarca invitatia cu toate informatiile de aici: http://wp.me/aScAM-2bo

A winey weekend: Puech Haut, La Rioja Alta and more

I had a weekend full of wines. Started on FRI evening with this 2004 Chateau Puech-Haut Tete de Belier rouge that shows extremely well and reminds of a Chateauneuf du pape.

2004 Chateau Puech-Haut Tete de Belier rouge

Deep dark, red garnet color. A well developed and youthful nose, intense, it has the aromatic profile of a quality Chateauneuf du pape. It shows a freshness that I found in a 2004 Domaine du Pegau Cuvee Reservee Chateauneuf du pape. The nose has Grenache profile written all over it and is filled with liquorice, garrigue, raspberry and red cherry jam, nutmeg and game. Full in the mouth, ripe, structured and balanced, it has serious consistency and flesh, with a long spicy red fruit jam aftertaste. A wine that stays very well on its feet, showing good freshness, flesh and spark. No hurry to drink it on the short term. 14.5% (91/100)

On SAT evening had dinner with a good friend at La Cantine de Nicolai and had a small bottle of Meursault by Drouhin and an old school 1997 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904. The 2006 Joseph Drouhin Meursault from a 0.375 bottle shows a developed nose, with plenty of butter, roasted almonds and richness.

It is the second time I visit La Cantine de Nicolai after almost 2 years. I remember the first time I was there I was eager to try one of their desserts that looked so good on photos. Unfortunately it was not available on that day. It took me 2 years, but I finally got it.

1997 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

Uncorked, decanted and left it to breath for 30 mins, which was probably not enough but we were really thirsty. Saturated ruby red color with minor brick on the rim. A well developed nose, intense aromas of dill and orange are dominant on the aromatic profile, and, as the wine opens up, cinnamon, bright red fruits and tobacco come out. A wine with great freshness, fresh acidity, structured, balanced, elegant, and a long finish, spicy and fresh. Everything seems to be in the right place with this wine, and at 15 years old, the wine feels ageless, a plateau where it will probably stay for a very long time. I like the freshness and the complexity of a well aged Old School Rioja. (91/100)

We also had a Champagne Duval Leroy Brut Rose (89/100): clean, fresh, mineral, fine bubbles and so easy to drink at Le Manoir’s wine bar near Ateneu and finished the night with a Dessert Stirbey.

SUN was calm and quite, how else could you spend the first day of cold weather and rain of this winter. Cooked at home some fresh pasta with tomato sauce and shrimps that were highly appreciated by my companion. Also tried a 2011 Ceptura Rose by Davino, a deep rose colored wine that sits very well in its price category and delivers. Even if it shows 14.4% alcohol, the wine is balanced, with intense small red berries aromas and some residual sugar that provides body and consistency to its medium finish. This is a rose suitable for this cold weather.

long awaited dessert at La Cantine de Nicolai