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| Sommelier’s Special |
| By Sreejith Menon |
| The world of wine is filled with passion – of the wine, the vine, the vintners and the vinos. |
| Sommeliers (among many other tasks) translate the passion that is poured in the glass to those who have chosen the wine. This is not a one day job – it takes years and years of studying and tasting different wines, across different geographical locations, how they are made, the controlling laws to appreciate a little bit more than others the typicity of the wine being poured. It’s a deep dive into the history, soil, terroir, structure, climate, owners and almost anything that the vineyard can share about the time the wine was being made. |
| In every Sommelier’s working life, there are some labels that they share with the guest that create a memorable experience for them – and one such evening deserves this note. Selling the top labels (to a connoisseur, of course) on a wine list is a Sommelier’s dream. To sell three at one go to one couple makes true the quote I read, “Wine is actually bottled history”. And I must add, it wasn’t necessarily just about expensive wines! |
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The Sommelier’s lair |
| The Wines |
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| La Richebourg, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2000 |
| Estate notes : Managed by Aubert de Villaine at the age of 78 years, La Romanee Conti is one of the most famed terroirs and the most expensive wines in the world. La Richebourg (in latin, Riche means wealthy and Bourg means bastard) is one of the eight grand cru of the appellation. The fine pinot noir from this estate can age for decades (obviously with proper storage). |
| Vintage notes : 2000 had its share of problems with heavy rains and thunderstorms, but followed by a clear winter and summer that led to a great harvest. |
| Blend : 100% Pinot Noir. |
| Tasting notes : Ruby to pale garnet. Decanted for 30 minutes. A charmingly seductive nose with raspberry and black cherry, pounded by a bit of sweet spice and smokiness. Dry with a lovely acidity and soft tannins. Well rounded, structured expressions with a persistent finish. |
| Food Paired: Roast Leg of Lamb served with Salsa Verde. |
| Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers, Faiveley 1998 |
| Estate notes : Les Cazetiers is 8.5 hectares in Premier Cru Gevrey Chambertin land, north of Cote de Nuits and adjacent to Clos St Jacques. This parcel runs from the bottom of the slope all the way to the top, and maintains quality. |
| Vintage notes : 1998 was battered by hail and thunder storms due to which the yield was quite low. It resulted in the wine being uneven and acquiring more tannic. |
| Blend : Pinot Noir. |
| Tasting notes : Deep ruby with a hint of garnet on the rim. Decanted for 20 minutes. A very elegant nose with red cherries and raspberry and savoury meaty notes. An astringent palate with good acidity. Balanced grippy tannins. Medium bodied. Medium plus finish. |
| Food Paired: Slow Roasted Turkey with Raspberry Sauce. |
| Grand Vin de Chateau Latour 1995 |
| Estate notes : Chateau Latour, a Premier Cru Classe from Pauillac (left bank) in Bordeaux. The 14th century Saint Lambert Tower gives the estate its name. Francois Pinault bought Chateau Latour in 1993 and entrusted it to Frederic Engerer (President) in 1995. |
| Vintage notes : 1995 saw a mild winter with very little rain. Bud break was a bit early and so was the ripening because of the heat. |
| Blend : 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. |
| Tasting notes : Deep ruby. Decanted for 45 minutes. A very elegant nose with cassis compote, vanilla and sweet spices like clove and toasty earthy notes which gives the hint of new French oak ageing. A great finish. A very youthful wine with more ageing potential. |
| Food Paired: Grilled Beef Steak (medium) with Sauteed Mushroom in Red Wine Jus. |
| Sreejith Menon was Assistant Resort Sommelier at Kuredu Island Resort & Spa in the Maldives, where he curated this “unplanned” fine wine evening. |
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