Mick organised the eats at Glebe Point Diner so was more nervous than a kid on Prom night. The restaurant much to his relief lived up to all his expectations from the service to the food. They really looked after us, the resulting dinner wasn’t cheap (about $150/head with tip) but for the time we spent there and the amount of foods we got through it wasn’t too bad. Lovely oysters, cheeses, all my dishes were fine with a special mention for the Burnt Alaska dessert which I loved. (modern take on the Bombe Alaska). Nice location at the quiet end of Glebe Point Rd with open frontage and a nice breeze coming through as the sun goes down.
I didn’t take notes (Greg did, so hopefully he will have time to type them up as he is a very perceptive taster), my photos got progressively worse as the night wore on, I kept on putting the phone down and picking up smudges and grime. I’ll just do basic impressions (waffling on) of a few of the wines.
Lineup…
2006 Taittinger Comtes BdB
2006 Chanson Clos Saint Jean, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er
2011 PYCM Les Grande Ruchottes, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er
2007 Henri Boillot Clos de la Mouchere, Puligny-Montrachet 1er
2009 Chandon de Briailles, Charlemagne, Grand Cru
2003 Coudray-Bizot, Echezeaux, Grand Cru
2007 Hudelot-Noellat, Malconsorts, Vosne Romanee 1er
2008 Sylvain Cathiard, Aux Murgers, Nuit Saint Georges 1er
2008 Domaine Dujac, Echezeaux, Grand Cru
2011 Benjamin Leroux Clos de la Cave des Ducs, Volnay
2000 Gaja Costa Russi, Langhe
1996 Vietti Barolo Rocche
2002 Trimbach Vendanges-Tardives Riesling
2005 Chateau de Fargues, Sauternes
The Taittinger was the first I’d tried from a big order we all did, and it didn’t disappoint. The acidity was a little wound down from say the 2002 and 2004, yet it still had great balance and finesse, will age very well. It also went really well with the oysters and the sauce they had for them. The PYCM was also a surprise for me as I’d been pigeonholing them as hugely acidic monsters that seemed to be all tart lemon and nothing else, this had a bit of oak showing and was thus a bit fatter, probably one of the most enjoyable ones I had from them. The Boillot Puligny was really nice, wonderful nose, weighty without being flabby, great fruit and balance and no dreaded pre-mox, it is starting to usurp Chassange-Montrachet as one of my favourite appellations.
The Malconsorts exhibited the classic Vosne Romanee attributes (in hindsight) as it was done blind. Spicy fruits and pepper, with a delicate candied nose, (I had it pinned as a Pommard doh).
In the reds the two big hitters (style wise) in the Cathiard and Dujac were big, moreish monsters of Pinot. Really nice fruit, real waxy mouthfeel, with the structure to back them up, although I’d be happy drinking them now. Great length on them both.
The Volnay was all power again, but in a different way. More elegance rather than big fruited power.
The Gaja was lovely and the Vietti probably had a bit more complexity, both fantastic wines. Was really interesting how good they were for different reasons compared to the Pinots. I could sit and smell them all night, the savoury tar and roses coming through and changing from smell to smell.
Both of the dessert wines were very nice and went well with the dessert and cheese remainders.
Fantastic night.
Might be a good idea for future offlines. Looks like a top dinner.
