Grand Cru 2008

For the first time I had opportunity to taste a new vintage, a Grand Cru wines from Bordeaux 2008 vintage.

Tasting unbottled barrel samples, once was a domain of hard-core enthusiasts. These days, barrel samples tasting are one of the most popular events.


At the Château Labégorce table


Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2008 has been a pleasant surprise


Absolute star of the day Château Coutet 2008 and 1998. The 2008 is so fragile at the moment that it must be protected from the light... But both vintages are so lovely...

What about rest of the Bordeaux 2008? Well some guys call this ordinary vintage and some are comparing to 2005 vintage... meaning; this is a controversial vintage, or it seem like...

Personally, I don't have opinion. For that mater, I don't have experience to access young wines, still in barrel, perhaps not even finished their malolactic fermentation and one year before final product.

Some of these wines were quite tannic and... well unpleasant. In any case, I had interesting... and educational experience, if you like. I had also a nice talk with Véronique Sanders from Château Haut Bailly :-) You can read about her 2005 vintage here.

What I have tested:

Haut-Médoc
Château Camensac 2008 2001
Château Cantemerle 2008 2007

Margaux
Château du Tertre 2008 2006
Château Giscours 2008 2006
Château Labégorce 2008 2001
Château Labegorce Zédé 2008
Château Marquis d’Alesme 2008 2006

Saint-Julien
Château Lagrange 2008 2004
Château Beychevelle 2008 2006 2002
Château Branaire-Ducru 2008 2004
Château Léoville Poyferré 2008 2004

Pauillac
Château Armailhac 2008 2003
Château Clerc Milon 2008 2001
Château Grand Puy Lacoste 2008 2006
Château Pontet Canet 2008 2004

Saint-Estèphe
Château Phélan Ségur 2008 2004

Pomerol
Château La Clémence 2008 2004 1999
Château Gazin 2008

Saint-Emilion
Château Angélus 2008 2006
Château Canon La Gaffelière 2008 2007
Clos de l’Oratoire 2008 2007
Clos Fourtet 2008 2006
Château Destieux 2008 2004 1998

Pessac-Léognan
Château Haut Bailly 2008 2007
Château Carmes Haut Brion 2008 2007
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rg. 2008 2007
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Bl. 2008 2007
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2008 2002
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2008

Sauternes
Château Coutet 2008 1998

My picks for August...

It’s August... and unfortunately weather in Copenhagen is not sun, fun and barbecues...

However, it's always a good time for a glass of wine, whether it’s a red, or a rosé, and especially when in good company during a lovely "summer" evening.

This is my wine picks for August.


2006 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé
Eye: Salmon color
Nose: Ripe melon, peach...
Palate: Fresh acidity, minerals and spices... perfectly balanced. At the beginning has felt bit frizzante, but this vanished after 10 minutes or so.
Finish: Long, lush, spiced finish.
Decanted: - (88 pts.)


2005 Arnaud Ente Bourgogne Blanc
Eye: Yellow
Nose: Reach, pear, touch of oak...
Palate: Medium-bodied, balanced and oily like. Perfect acidity, cream, pear, oak... Very elegant, precise and delicious. Seducer.
Finish: Very long and pleasant with mineral tones.
Decanted: -
Note: Delicious white Burgundy (89 pts.)


2003 Giuseppe e Figlio Mascarello Barolo Santo Stefano di Perno
Eye: Ruby
Nose: Blackberry, cherries, tar, earthy (porcini mushrooms)
Palate: Delicious, aromatic flowers, cedar, smoke... Complex and elegant.
Finish: Long and wonderful.
Decanted: 60 - 90 minutes
Note: Amazing wine and it's probably the best Barolo I've ever tasted (92 pts.)

Skål!

Bar & Grill at Custom House

I've enjoy the afternoon with my friend and had a simple but delicious burger at Custom House Bar & Grill.


Our starter, salad of French asparagus, leeks, poached egg and truffle.


Main course, beef burger, quite delicious and unique in taste.


Washed down with a glass of 2005 St.Emilion, Chateau Perey, Grand Cru...

The afternoon menu is short, but combines mix of good food. Of course, Custom House offers also more advanced dinner experiences. For example, you can read more on Ebisu, serving traditional Japanese kitchen.

If you are around, visit it and enjoy the terrace.

Rating: -

Custom House
Havnegade 44
1058 København K

M-Bar, Revisited

M-Bar revisited and it has been fantastic experience, as always.

We had 4 course gourmet dinner:

As an appetizer we had a perfect cocktail with red currant jelly, sorbet orange, contour, garnished with lime peel and fresh thyme.


Pan-searing scallops, cauliflower puree, cauliflower stock, parma ham, truffle juice and citrus vinegar... simply delicious.

For the main course we had a roasted rack of Irish lamb in a port wine reduction, pommes anna, caramelized figs... Unfortunately, I don't have a picture, which means I need to go back soon :-)


and perfect ending with strawberry cream puff.


Pan-searing scallops can be intimidating, but not for Paul, the M-bar chef.

You can read more on M-Bar here.

I have quite close ties with M-Bar and I won't rate it, but in short, this place is cozy and unpretentious.

You should visit it and have fun there especially at one of the gourmet dinner events, coming this autumn.

Sushitarian, Revisited

Sushitarian revisited and this time around, with a panel of of high court Japanese judges...

Yes, food is serious and good.

In addition to sashimi gourmet plate, we had:


Gourmet nigiri and maki assortments. The rice, as my friend Rickard put it, "it is swelling in the mouth, instead of melting in the mouth". Strangely, not as good as rice accompanied the sashimi gourmet plate. Regardless, we all agreed, ingredients were all fresh and tasteful.

You can read more on Sushitarian here.

Visit it and have fun there.

My thoughts on sea food

Homemade sea food for dinner is a real treat, especially when made with good quality ingredients. Not to mention, when sprinkled with olive oil and accompanied with a good wine... it becomes deeply nourishing ;-)


In my opinion, sea food is most tasteful on grill... and in the same time, it is easiest to prepare.


For example, Madagascar king prawns...


cut into half, lengthwise and grilled a short period of time...


sprinkled with olive oil and some freshly ground wasabi. Unfortunately there's really no substitute for fresh wasabi...


Alternatively, made some spicy mussels in a tomato, wine, onions, basilico...

Visit your local fish market, buy some fresh ingredients and enjoy.

Sushitarian, one of the oldest sushi restaurants in Denmark...

As Copenhagen haven't been spoiled by the sunshine this days... one must try to find different treats...

I haven't been at Sushitarian for ages, and the other day, I had a pleasant surprise. This is one of the oldest sushi restaurants in Denmark and arguably, it has become one of Copenhagen´s best sushi restaurant.

The interior is modern with a classic restaurant seating below the kitchen or if you are up to a bit funky seating, go at the window showroom at the bar.

What we had:


Sashimi gourmet plate - lobster, seared tuna, seared whitefish, salmon toro, salmon, shrimps, and


Maki menu - california roll (crabstick, cucumber, avocado, mayo), hawaian roll (tuna, cashew nuts, avocado, teriyaki sauce), san francisco (salmon, salmon roe, basil, cucumber) and spicy lobster roll (lobster, cucumber, avocado, chilimayo).

Everything was pristine, fresh, tasteful and likely, some of the best sashimi in town. Go for assortments, especially one with lobster...

The pricing seems reasonable, dinner at about 50€ per person, including sake and Japanese beers.

Highly recommended.

Rating: 8.4 (out of 10.0)

Sushitarian
Gothersgade 3
Copenhagen K 1123