It is often said that New World wines are made to be drunk young. But this is not universally so, and here is an opportunity to taste some top end Australian wines that are a few years older. Many of you will have attended Paul Mapplebeck’s excellent vintage wine tastings at the Naval Club and also the wine tasting dinners that we have organised in the Cunliffe-Owen Room upstairs at the Naval Club. Last year, Paul kindly agreed to present some more wines from his cellar in this popular format, featuring wines mostly from the Northern and Southern Rhone, alongside comparable wines from Australia. Very sadly, Paul has since died, and this event is being held at the Cavalry and Guards Club in his memory.
These wines are of the highest quality and much sought after by collectors.
We will start with a sparkling wine aperitif – Jansez Premium Cuvée from Tasmania, which has been widely acclaimed as able to hold its own against many Champagnes.
Our first course will be:
Chicken Liver Parfait, Caramelised Onion and Mustard Seed Marmalade and Toasted Brioche.
This will be served with three white wines from the Viognier grape:
Yalumba, Eden Valley, 2016
Yalumba Virgilius Viognier, Eden Valley, 2012
Guigal, Condrieu, N Rhone, 2011
Our main course will be:
Roast Breast of Duck with Plum and Red Wine Sauce, Boulanger Potatoes, Pea Puree and Pea Shoots
This will be served with two Southern Rhone style wines:
Nine Popes, Charles Melton, Barossa, 2013
Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Clos des Papes, 2013
and two in the style of the Northern Rhone:
Amon-Ra Shiraz, Barossa, 2012
Hermitage, Cuvée Emilie, Remizières, 2012
Our dessert will be:
Cinnamon and Cardamon Cheesecake, Gingerbread Crumb and Apple Gel
This will be served with two sweet wines, mostly from the Semilion grape:
Di Bertoli Noble One Botrytis Semilion, New South Wales, 2014
Château Filliot, Sauternes Cru Classé, 2011
We will finish with coffee and mints.