Annual Dinner Wines
Conal Gregory, Master of Wine and our Club Chairman, introduces the wines:
Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Brut Champagne 2004, bottled in Epernay (in magnums)
Perrier-Jouët has always been a prestigious Champagne house. Its superb vineyards in Avize and neighbouring Cramant account for the hazelnut aromas and creamy flavours of the top-flight Chardonnay which forms a key part in its blends. Founded in 1811, PJ became the favourite fizz of Queen Victoria. The distinctive design was introduced in 1970 and is a replica of Emile Galle’s original bottle with the enamel anemones fired directly onto the surface of the glass.
Chassagne-Montrachet, 1er cru, Les Chenevottes 2008, bottled in Chanson
The village of Chassagne was first mentioned as Cassaneas and Cassania in 9th century documents from the Abbey St Seine. The village lies in the Côte de Beaune with Les Chenevottes known for its floral wines. Chassagne (along with Puligny) affixed the name of its most famous vineyard in 1879. Hubrecht Duijker in his "Touring in Wine Country Burgundy" notes that Chassagne-Montrachet first growths can have "impressive depth and distinction." Its classic Chardonay succeeds well in a sub-soil rich in chalk and marl as well as a ridge of limestone. The distinguished house of Chanson aged this wine in its 15th century castle.
Château Léoville Poyferré 1995, St Julien, 2ème cru classé, château bottled
Classic Claret: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Known for its elegance, this is one of the finest St Julien estates with a new winery constructed in the mid-1990s. The vines are planted on fine gravel and picked as late as possible with the wine aged 18-20 months in 75% new barriques. The result is "a more opulent and hedonistic wine than the other two Léovilles" according to Stephen Brook (The Complete Bordeaux). He describes the 1995 as "a rich, sweet, oaky nose of great elegance; the palate is rich, very concentrated, with bright acidity.
Hermitage La Chapelle 2000, bottled by Paul Jaboulet Aîné
This appellation is the jewel in the crown of the northern Rhône. Its reds show incredible complexity and longevity from Syrah vines. It was one of the earliest ACs to be created (1937). The vineyards lie on a steep, exposed granite-based hill overlooking the Rhône on its eastern bank. Jaboulet AÎné was founded in 1834 and according to critic Robert Parker is "the world's best known producer of high quality Rhône wine with vines averaging 80 years in age. La Chapelle is enormously concentrated with a majestic aroma and richness. Maceration is 21 days (30-38 in great vintages) followed by 12-14 months in oak. Parker compares it to "a great Pauillac"
Tamar Ridge Limited Release Botrytis Riesling 2012
Tamar Ridge was founded in 1994 at Rosevears, Tasmania, 22km nort-west of Launceston. It is a cool climate district and this estate-grown wine comes from its Kayena vineyard. Winemaker Tom Wallace ensures a racy acidity with intense citrus notes for the deliciously sweet Riesling.
Graham 1980 vintage Port, bottled in Portugal
Graham is of Scottish origin and became involved in wine when it accepted 27 pipes of Port in lieu of a bad debt (a pipe is 712 bottles). Its flagship estate is Quinta dos Malvedos which was acquired in 1870 and lies on the north bank of the Douro river, just west of Tua, in the Cima Corgo district. Most of its other grapes come from Quinta das Lages in the Torto valley. It continues to make port in the traditional way by foot treading in granite lagares. In 1970 the Grahams sold to the Symington family which today also own such houses as Dow, Smith, Woodhouse and Warre.
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