Cape Mentelle Wine Dinner at the Winery

Last night I went to an awesome wine dinner at the Winery Surry Hills which show cased a number of different wines from Cape Mentelle in the Margaret River. Cape Mentelle is the sister winery of the well known Cloudy Bay and produces wines that are traditionally made in the Bordeaux region of France. Their range of wines include a Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Merlot and Shiraz which we tasted at the dinner accompanied with some delicious food.

Morton Bay Bugs & Chardonnay

We started the evening with a glass of the Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2013 which the Chief Wine Maker Rob Mann described as fresh and lively. Generally I am not one for Sauvignon Blanc however the blend with Semillon seems to soften the taste and make it more palatable. Still not my first choice though.

Our first course was Roast Morton Bay Bugs served with a delicious dressing and a 2011 Chardonnay. The wine initially seemed heavy when I sipped it on its own, however when paired with the Morton Bay Bugs and creme fraiche sauce it was simply heavenly. The mixture of the creamy sauce with the medium bodied was just the perfect pair and definitely my pick of the night.

Pork Belly & 2011 Cab Merlot

The second course was slow cooked pork belly with artichoke, eggplant and prunes paired with a 2011 Cabernet Merlot. The food was absolutely delicious but the wine was just too young and tannic for me. What I mean by that is that there was a presence of the flavour like when you bite into a grape and accidentally chew the seed. Over time tannins in big reds soften and create delicious drinking wines that become smooth and fill the entire palate.

The third course was a small portion of seared venison with pancetta, beets and truffle served with a big 2011 Shiraz. Again, the food was delicious but the wine seemed too young to be serving. I am no expert but it seemed to be made of all the stuff of a good wine, just too young.

Rob Mann Senior Wine Maker at Cape Mentelle

I asked the wine maker whether he thought that the reds could benefit from some time in the bottle and he surprised me by saying that they were perfect to drink now. He also said that they had moved entirely to screw cap and that wines don't age as much under screw cap. This seems to be a great shame as they were delicious wines but simply had not had the time to evolve to their potential and seemingly never will.

All in all though we had a fabulous time and had the opportunity to meet some great people. I would definitely recommend checking out some of the wine events at the Winery in Surry Hills.

Until next time, have a glass for me. Alex Mac x

Divine Intervention

Last night was one of those nights, a simple Monday evening that would begin like all others but yet end as a defining moment. You know the type that I am taking about, those moments that are so coincidental that they couldn't possible be an accident. A moment of pure fate sent from above! Maybe I am exaggerating here a little, but hear me out. You may or may have not noticed that I have taken a little sabbatical from my blog. No excuses necessary, however after my mother passed away last year I lost my mojo and stepped off the wine scene for a while.

In April a friend told me about a new website called Airbnb and suggested that since I travel so often that I could rent my apartment. I started renting it on occasion and in June was contacted by a French lady by the name of Aline Baly. She requested to stay longer than I usually accept and we began corresponding more so than usual to organise. Aline mentioned that she would be hosting some wine master classes on a marketing trip for her family wine company. To thank me for my hospitality she invited me to the Chateau Coutet Master Class presented by Five Ways Cellars owners Ian and Prue Cook at their magnificent family home in Annandale.

I met Aline at my apartment and she looked quintessentially French.  Wearing ballet flats, a pashmina flung loosely across the shoulder and a Longchamp bag she looked effortlessly chic.

A quick cab ride away and we arrived at the Cook residence. Greeted by our friendly hosts with oysters and champagne we mingled among the other guests as everyone arrived. One gentleman asked me what I thought of Sauternes and whether I drink it often? Luckily we were called to the table before I had to give an answer. Phew, that was close!

Aline took control of the formalities like a star and had her audience captivated with her knowledge. Accompanied by home made Parmesan biscuits, chicken liver pâté, onion tart and cheese soufflé we tasted some of the most interesting and delicious wines I have ever come into contact with. The wines of Sauternes are sweet wines produced when the botrytis fungas attacks the grapes. We were encouraged to drink the wines with savoury food which was a first. To my delight the pairings were delicious.

Aline Baly & Ian Cook

My expertise in the specifics of the region still have a long way to go. However I can say that the experience of being invited into someone's home, to drink truly spectacular wine with delicious food is simply heaven. An experience that could only be topped by the host being one of Bordeaux's finest!

The crazy thing in all of this is that I had almost lost the drive behind my love of wine when my mother passed away. The coincidence to be sent Aline as a random guest in my apartment is just too great. It is clearly nothing less than divine intervention.

Until next time. Have a glass for me. Alex Mac