Jascots short listed for ON-TRADE SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR – The Drinks Business awards 2012

Judges took into account the recommendation and opinion of customers and look for evidence in high standards of service, including delivery, flexibility and adaptability to the strains of the modern day restaurant and hotel business. They also awarded on-trade suppliers on the quality of their range and pricing, plus attention to environmental issues in a high carbon impact business model.

The winners will be announced at an invitation-only ceremony on Wednesday 23 May at the London International Wine Fair.

The full list of those short listed for this award can be found at http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2012/05/the-drinks-business-awards-2012-shortlist/?utm_source=Proofing&utm_campaign=3bf8406d79-14_05_12_Latest_News&utm_medium=email

Wish us luck!

Andre Roger Vieilles Vignes NV

One of the judges has since left PM and joined a new US-based law firm who have recently opened a practise in The City and summoned me in to re-enact the blind tasting so her new law firm could select their House Champagne for the up-and-coming inaugural party and summer season.

And so, last Thursday evening, 6 lady partners gathered to blind taste the 6 Bubblies that I assembled including our Cremant de Bourgogne by Louis Picamelot, affectionaly known as ‘Sparky’, Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 2006, Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, André Roger Grand Cru Grand Reserve followed by André Roger Grand Cru Vieilles Vignes and then we finished off with Pol Roger’s White Foil.

The tasting was completely blind and I kept my big gob shut so as not to influence the 6 lady judges.

We decided to cull the least favourite 3 and so poor old Sparky fell at the first fence as it just didn’t have the weight and flavour to keep up with the Champagnes. Then Veuve Clicquot was considered to be flash-in-the-pan with a very over excitable effervescence, not much depth to the flavour and was terribly short. Then, much to my surprise, Pol Roger White Foil missed the cut on taste; I was only surprised as a dozen

Jascoteers had so enjoyed this Champagne in particular when we visited Epernay in January.

Then we re-tasted the three remaining Bubbles again and our Roger’s Grand Reserve was enjoyed but Nyetimber’s Vintage Classic Cuvée was sweeter and nudged it into third place, kudos to Sussex, but, exactly as last year, André Roger’s limited edition Grand Cru Vieilles Vignes from Ay was unanimously and unambiguously voted the best Champagne of the day!

I do love it when David slays Goliath all over again and David just happens to be our champion Grand Cru Champagne!!!

Bordeaux

Latour a Pomerol 1928, 1961

Latour á Pomerol produces sumptuous, meaty, concentrated and full-bodied Pomerols. The 1928 vintage was so vibrant and powerful…. A miracle!!!  Full of pure fruits, mineral character and a long finish.

Petrus 1928, 1945, 1961

I have to be very honest with Petrus. There are great wines but they were a little bit shy in general. Even 4 or 5 hours after I was hoping to get more out of the glass. Anyways, a fantastic robust wine with great depth, good acidity, right amount of dark fruits and a fantastic finish. The 1961 vintage was the winner of the evening.

Mouton-Rothschild 1945

Philippe Julian‘s ‘V’ for victory design – ‘Année de la Victoire’ – captured the celebratory mood of the year, and became an icon.

Profund, intense with firm blackcurrant fruit, coffee spices, chocolate and with a superb finish. A Top player of the 20^th century.

Leoville Las Cases 1945

This Chateau produces arguably the most exotically perfumed wine in the Médoc. On the palate it is powerful and concentrated and marvellously well-balanced. The mineral character is present alongside the black fruits and a very intense finish. Léoville Las Cases is a 2eme Cru Classée in name but produces 1er Cru Classé quality wines.

Lafleur 1945, 1961

Wines from Lafleur display a spectacularly intense perfume (partly attributable to the high percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend) and display layers and layers of concentrated, black fruits, minerals, tobacco spices and creamy liquorice on the palate. The 1945 vintage was so powerful that any young wine could runaway immediately!

Trotanoy 1961

A deep, very impressive colour. The nose is aromatic with dark fruits, clean and well defined. The palate is pure and well delineated style, clean, firm, structured but with an elegant sweetness. This wine was one the best of the evening.

Bonus track

Chateau D’Yquem 1921

The 1921 is without a doubt the greatest vintage of the 20th century. Very dark in colour which can make you think that the wine is off….The bouquet is very rich, honeyed of course, peachy, intense and fragrant. On the palate super rich, powerful, great length and intensity, and supported by life-preserving acidity. One of life’s sublime experiences.  

So there you have it – that was quite the most amazing tasting ever.  And the answer to the question – What is the best wine you have ever tasted?  Its impossible to say, so many of them are champions in their own right.

Until the next time,

Raul

Rousseau Chambertin 1962, 1971
Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Beze 1962, 1971

Chambertin was masculine, powerful and constructed well. It is a vigorous and firm wine, having a characteristic aroma of liquorice.

Chambertin Clos de Beze was a fantastic delicate wine with slightly lighter alcohol and tannin content. Both wines were showing the best of their respective terroir.

Roumier Bonnes Mares 1962

Roumier wines are more robust, less ethereal, than many others, but they still have the quintessential elegance of their commune. The Bonnes Mares is superbly concentrated and profound.

DRC La Tache 1962

The La Tache 62 is all about fragrance, finesse and balance. It is not much to say… As close to the perfect wine as it gets.

DRC Romanee Conti 1964, 1966, 1971

The scarcest, most expensive – and frequently the best – wine in the world. This is the purest, most aristocratic and most intense example of Pinot Noir you could possibly imagine. In a word: a nectar. The 1964 was the best vintage.

I know – now you are begining to realise what an amazing evening this must have been.

Tomorrow it is Bordeaux – until then have a great day.

Moet 2011

Moet 1911

Although I’m a fan of Champagne at almost any age, I was taken by the quality of the 1911. It possessed what most people would consider a fatal flaw: no bubbles. I enjoyed notes of ginger, honey and apple as well as a pleasant nuance of mushroom, a hallmark of good, old white Burgundy. A great example of a 100 year old wine!

Roederer 1928

Louis Roederer 1928

Initially a bit of toffee and oxidized aroma on the nose. Lots of power and finesse, incredibly rich and sweet with some flavours of sherry. The 1928 has an incredible orange colour.

Pommery 1929

There were no bubbles left in this magical Champagne, but that didn’t matter. This was like a great old Montrachet, except better. It was so rich yet so tender, voluptuous yet svelte, rich yet delicate.

Pol Roger 1921

Lively bubbles would have been nice, but in their absence was a gloriously silky texture.  It still retained a discreet mousse, depth and vinosity. Complex aromas of caramel, vanilla, coffee and fresh field mushrooms are combined in a stunning bouquet.

Bollinger 1934

Bollinger 1934, 1952, 1955, 1961

Classic meaty-cheesy nose, of honey and nuts, oiled oak and Stilton. Mature, honey and oil aromas. A gentle mousse though, with a full, creamy palate and fresh, firm acidity. The 1955 RD was the highlight of all (with bubbles!)

Krug Collection 1961, 1962
Krug Private Cuvee 1961, 1962

Finally we got some fantastic bubbles! Krug is identified by its strongly developed and aged nutty lees influence and notes, a certain oakiness, as well as a combination of freshness and oxidative maturity. The Krug Collection has a very intense structure and superb bouquet. Krug was the best champagne of the evening by far.

So that was that and what a privilage.  Tomorrow Burgundy.

Raul

What is the best wine you have ever tasted?

Raul - Jascots' Head Sommelier

I had the fantastic opportunity to host an event last week tasting some of the best wines ever produced during the last century. We were blessed to taste superb examples of the world’s best domaines and chateaux and to come up with the most awe-inspiring wine list you’ll ever see.

We started opening the bottles at around 4pm. Soon we realize that fight against very old corks can be a challenging job when some of the bottles are over 80 years old.  Thus there was a huge feeling of anticipation in the air every time we started to open each one.

Each one of the wines that we opened and tasted that day would have been a momentous occasion on their own, but to taste such a collection in one sitting made it genuinely priceless.

So what I am going to do for you is over the next 3 days try and describe what was tasted.

First of all, we expected there would be wines that might not make it.  Sadly there were three; the 1962 Vogue VV Musigny, the 1962 DRC Richebourg and the 1945 Clos L’eglise Clinet, all of which were sadly corked. An unexpected surprise was a fake bottle of Chateau Lafleur 1928. The cork was in extremely good condition with the colour of the year clearly darker than the words. The colour and taste of the wine was so young that you can think that you were having any average example of Pinot Noir.

So tomorrow I’ll share my notes and thoughts on the Champagnes including:

• Moet 1911
• Roederer 1928
• Pommery 1929
• Pol Roger 1921
• Bollinger 1934, 1952, 1955, 1961
• Krug Collection 1961, 1962
• Krug Private Cuvee 1961, 1962

Until then – have a great day.

Raul

The Lawn Bistro

Raul has worked as a sommelier with Michel Roux jr and Gary Rhodes and it is with huge excitement that we are proud to announce this fun evening of food and wine at The Lawn Bistro.

Olly Couillaud, the Lawn Bistro’s Head Chef and partner, has chosen Spain and will be matching great dishes with great Spanish wines. The price for the evening is £95.00 person (inclusive of VAT, but not including an optional 12.5% gratuity).

The menu and wines are as follows and the evening will start at 7pm:

Tapas at the bar

Pont de Ferro, Cava Brut, Penedès, Spain NV

GazpachoAndaluz with scallops, avocado and coriander

2010, Adegasd’Altamira, BrandalAlbariño, RiasBaixas
2010, Valserrano Blanco, Bodegas Marquesa, Rioja DOC

Saffron risotto with chorizo, prawns, chicken, squid andmussels

2010, Lacrimus 5 Rioja, Bodegas Sendero Royal, Rioja
2008, ValserranoCrianza, Bodegas Marquesa, Rioja DOC

Torta de Canarejal y membrillo con tostadas

2006, Cal PlaCrianza, Celler Joan Sangenis, Priorat
2006, Valserrano “FincaMonteviejo”, Bodegas Marquesa, Rioja DOC

Strawberries macerated in Pedro Ximenes, basil, black pepper, vanilla ice cream, biscuits

2008, MonastrelDulce, Bodegas Castano, Yecla, Murcia

Coffee and Petits fours

To enquire about joining us for this exciting food and wine event, please contact The Lawn Bistro as soon as possible at  on 020 8947 8278 or info@thelawnbistro.co.uk

The Lawn Bistro are planning to have monthly wine dinners at The Lawn Bistro, so we will keep you informed about upcoming events, or you can check the information on their website  www.thelawnbistro.co.uk

We are looking forward to welcoming you for a great evening.

Ollie, Raul and the Team

The Lawn Bistro

My my my today was a day to knock the socks off even the most jaded wine professional – the third day in Bordeaux started rather inauspiciously with a trip out to the back and beyond of  the Medoc and the rather obscure Chateau d’Arsac. For the un-initiated (which until about 8 hours ago included me…), this is a little known chateau in the commune of Margaux and quite a bit off the beaten track.

We had schlepped out there this morning to taste a multitiude of cru bourgeois in the hope of picking up some of 2011′s hidden gems – now, given the style of the 2011 vintage we knew this particular tasting would be a challenge, but to make our task just difficult enough to be impossible, the wines were served at about the right temperature for white burgundy, rendering even the best wines unpalatable to say the least – hard, tannic and brutal to say the most. Still, the trip wasn’t a total waste of time – I did get shaken around inside a portaloo by the company chairman and was afforded the chance to view some modern art and sculptures that pleased us greatly – mostly because they had been given a home in France and not Britain – the pick of the bunch being a bright red statue that was either a dog or a pig, (depending on whether you listened to the Jascots sales or buying department) sticking its head out over a perfectly manicured laurel hedge.

Anyway, back to matters of a vinous nature, and fortunately for us, our joker in the pack David Round MW had an ace up his sleeve, knowing from experience that many of the morning’s wines would be shown down the road at Ch. Cambon la Pelouse and so we piled into the rental car and hit the road – this tasting proved much more successful, thanks in no small way to the presence of bread, ham, local cheese, central heating and an inside toilet that could in no way be toppled over by Jack Scott Esq.

Margaux

And so to wine heaven – step forward Chx. Margaux and Rothschilds Lafite and Mouton, three of Bordeaux’s five first growths. Well, suffice to say that for a relative novice such as me, I was in awe of simply being allowed through the front gates, and on tasting the wines my reverence proved well-founded. Seldom, if ever, have I tasted such power juxtaposed against such elegance, such bombast alongside such delicacy, or still been tasting the wine, evaluating the wine and admiring the wine when back outside in the car park. Sure, the first growths lay on more theatre than Shaftesbury Avenue – Lafite do not allow photos and Margaux is a sight to behold (the pristine Chateau building perfectly framed by rows of trees along an impossibly long and crunchy gravel driveway) but they’re in the business of luxury – they cannot and do not disappoint.

Lafite

As the afternoon drew to a close, this marvellous day’s tasting was rounded off at the comparatively understated Ch. Kirwan – not to taste their wine but for the UGC Sauternes and Barsac tasting – it was an absolute breath of fresh air to taste these lovely stickies, after all, we’d heard great things about 2011 for sweet wines and the diversity and quality confirmed our hopes – barely a boring wine amongst the bunch of thirty or so deliciously nobley rotted sweeties – complexity, minerality, character and texture – all were to be had in abundance and they even removed the red wine stains from my teeth.

We dined this evening at the rustic La Tupina, a short stroll from the hotel. Pomerol’s Ch. Beauregard 2011 stole the show with a nose prettier than Pippa Middleton’s bottom,

Pippa!!

althought our waiter for the evening tried his best to hog the limelight – doing his best to stop Miles from making the silly mistake of ordering exactly what he wanted,- a local dish entitled, en Anglais, ‘blood pancake’. Sounds horrid, tastes blooming marvellous – like black pudding but in Omelette form. Wine and food were imbibed and consumed equally enthusiastically by all, we solved the problem with English football and returned to the hotel a bunch of very happy campers.

Tomorrow is our last day and parting will be such sweet sorrow. I will be sorry to leave but will take solice in the comforting thought that it will be at least a year before I ever set foot in the grounds of Chateau d’Arsac again.

Up at 7 this morning for a hearty breakfast of croissants, pain au chocolat, fruit and enough coffee to see us through the day and soon we were heading through the city centre, past the urban sprawl and out towards the gravel outcrops and perfect symmetry of Bordeaux’s much fabled vineyard.

Chateau Marquis de Terme

First up was the UGC (Union des Grands Crus)  tasting at Chateau Marquis de Terme followed swiftly by another UGC tasting at Chateau Lagrange – some 40-50 wines in total. Opinions differed on some of the wines but there were plenty of Chateaux about which there was unanimous agreement- some stunning, some disappointing, and some that demanded a rather gallic shrug of the shoulders.

I’ll say this for the French here and now -they know in no small way how to do food as well as wine – lunch laid on at Chateau Lagrange was sumptuous – I suppose it would have to be to satisfy several hundred hungry winos – charcuterie, fillet of beef with a thyme jus and all washed down (as if we needed it) with a soupçon of Chateau Lagrange 2000 -  as the wise and venerable David Round MW pointed out – a lovely and altogether timely reminder of the end result of what we were tasting today, given the right amount of time.

Chateau Lagrange

The afternoon saw us visiting a few more Chateaux – most notably Leoville Las Cases and Cos d’Estournel – the latter has invested heavily in its winery in recent times and it shows – not only was the wine delicious but the winery itself was a sight to behold – all gleaming stainless steel, with a reception and tasting room fit for a king, or Robert Parker at the very least.
I did a quick count at the end of the day – we had tasted around 60 wines and had found some real gems – this tasting malarkey, ironically, is thirsty work, so we repaired to a local bar in the centre of the city and temporarily forgot we were wine merchants by sinking a well deserved pression du biere blonde followed rather rapidly by yet more charcuterie and yet more fillet of beef – this time accompanied by a fantastically charming Chasse Spleen 2005- another tip of the cap to the rewards of patience.

And that is that for another day – tomorrow? wine porn in the shape of Chx. Mouton Rothschild, Margaux and Lafite-Rothschild.

à tout à l’heure.