Lunch in Beaujolais, 26 degrees and a great view. Why was I leaving this behind??
Five days on the beautiful yet damp island of Isaly, just off the western coast of mainland Scotland. Whisky, jazz,rain and plenty of wine. Still time for a quick pit-stop in Edinburgh though.
With a few too many sleazyjet gins in my belly, I had sat in the middle of thirty-five incredibly well-dressed French exchange students, I had what only can be described as a received-airborn-hormonal inbalance. Feeling nervous and self-concious and checking my shoes, I rushed off the aeroplane with a sure feeling of an errupting zit, first one in six months.
My non-sixteen self was more than happy to be decanted into a waiting car and whizzed in to town for a quick wine geeks supper. Stac Polly on St Mary's street, byob on weekdays, haggis was amazing, seriously....amazing. www.stacpolly.com, and with one of the team being recently engaged we were in full swing.
1996 Pol Roger Brut - Ellington described it as "on song" and I could not have agreed more. A favourite Champagne house of mine yet the bottle variation over the years has been incredible. Whether bought in bond, U.K. merchant, in France or a French shop in the U.K. there have been un-deniable changes in dosage, oxidation, flavour profile and maturity. The previous rep for Scotland waxed lyrical about hand riddling and bottle variation but I suspect not. This wine however was on fine form, still youthful, a crisp bite and sprite on the palate with a touch of toast and a gorgeous nuttiness.
2007 Pazo Barrantes Albarino - Again Ellington's notes were "lifted aromatics, weighty wax on both nose & palate. Significant bottle variation. Liked this much better than bottle brought to previous tasting ". I had brought the afformentioned previous bottle that had tasted like cheap aftershave, this however tasted neither cheap or of aftershave, more akin to a juicy Alsace Pinot Gris of Pinot Blanc, I had guessed a fragrant 08 vintage. One to watch.
2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Gabriel Meffre - Picked up in Lyon airport, this producer was one that I had tried in France and enjoyed, this was the first outing of the CNDP. Excellent with haggis, indeed E was so impressed by the fat content and "serious offel" that she gleefully bestowed another haggis round for us all, just to have this bottle with. Spice, spice and spice, from black pepper to dry garam masala. The tannins had just softened down enough for it to work and the 80/20 syrah/grenache content made for a quite serious dry wine. Would have been better in two or three years as there were minimal secondary flavours.
1995 Campillo Gran Reserva Rioja - UNBELIEVABLE. Nobody guessed the correct century, everyone was in Coonawarra Cab on the nose and yet I poffered an Italian Supertuscan for the palate whilst the remaining team correctly offered Spain as a thought. Stunningly youthful lushly opulent nose, dry red (chianti-like) fruit on the palate but a touch of dried cranberry to finish. Well done.
A brief trip to a slow but cute bar, 2 drinks in three hours, thirsty was the word. The Cosmo being served in a pilfered Victorian glass dog bowl with a stump for a stem did not help matters. Ellington seemed to think it was a nut bowl, but I beleive that was far too kind.
It was time for a "dive" bar where the beer was warm and the licence was 24 hours. Got in at 5ish, up a 6ish. Nice.
Sounds like quite an all-around good tasting.
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