Meeting 307 - A Tasting of Modern Clarets  Speaker:  Tom Bird  of Corney and Barrett

Held at Waltham St Lawrence         Friday 19^th October  2007

    Tom presented an interesting range of Clarets form lesser known vineyards and 2nd or 3rd wines from the more well know Châteaux The Aperitif had some similarity to a Loire Sauvignon being grown on Kimmeridge marl. It had a fresh fruity nose of gooseberries and tropical fruit which persisted on the palate and ended with a clean refreshing acidity 
    For the main red wines, the Château Dutruch Grand-Poujeaux was an excellent starter to an interesting evening. With plenty of fruit (red currents and raspberries) and a rather tannic finish. It has the potential of getting better with a bit of aging. The relative ages of the Chateau Anthonic and Sieur de Lassalle showed clearly in the balance of the two wines. While both had plenty of fruit, the Anthonic was quite tannic and could well go on for some time, the Sieur de Lassalle was nicely balanced and is drinkling well now. The Moulin Pey-Labrie was the classic taste of the region - fruit, balance, soft tannins and a long, long finish. With 70% merlot it was the first of a quartet of wines with increasing merlot content. Finishing with the 100% merlot, Clos des Amandies from Pomerol. This had a splendid cherry nose, was a perfect balance of fruit and tannnin and lasted foreverin the mouth. It could go on for years. I found the Certan-Marzelle had all the same delightful characteristics of the Amandiers, balance, fruit and a long finish but to me it had a slightly mineral undertone.  (JF)

Supper Planned & Prepared by Charlotte:

Roast Guinea fowl, cooked in madeira, with puy lentils; cabbage and bacon. For desert, hazelnut meringue and forest fruits.