Meeting 425 - Friday 21st June 2019
The Wines of Casa Lapostolle, Chile
Speakers: Ronnie Jansenn and Duncan Ross
This month we welcomed back Duncan Ross of Berkmann Wine Cellars. He introduced Ronnie Janssen,
who presented a selection of wines from Casa Lapostolle, founded in 1994 and now owned by the Marnier-Lapostolle family (of Grand Marnier fame).
Their objective is to create world-class wines using French expertise and the superb terroir of Chile.
Ronnie's career in wine has seen him work for the likes of Moët et Chandon, Champagne Lanson, and Penfolds.
Ronnie has been at Domaines
Bournet Lapostolle since 2002, when he joined the family owned company to help grow their increasing exports.
He is now Regional Export Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa for all the brands in the Domaines Bournet Lapostolle stable.
The aperitif was something different from the fizz we usually get. Duncan provided
a cocktail made fromm Pisco, a Chilian national liqueur, with a dash of elderflower tonic water. Very refreshing.
The first white was a very pale straw with a flowery nose. Clean acid with just a hint of fruit. But rather light overall.
The following Semillon and Torrontes (? from over the moutains?)Had a hint of orange on the nose - some thought it was sherry like! Limey fruit on the palate
Quite complicated. Only light acid. Only 900 bottles produced - clearly an experinmental blend. The chardonnay had some orange and
a hint of spice on the nose.
Balanced with a hint of sweetness on the palate, it had gentle acid but was rather short in the after taste. The rosé (very light pink!!)
which followed had good soft fruit and light berry on the palate and was very refreshing.
For the Reds, the Pinot Noir had a good cherry colour with a full damson nose.
The palate was surprisingly light of fruit cnsidering the nose, had low tannin and was quite sharp. Dissappointing.
The following merlot on the other hand was fruity and tannic.
The Cabernet Sauvignon was excellent in all respects. Very full fruit, nicely balanced tannins and with a long finish. Certainly
this wine and the following Grenache were the best on the evening. The latter had plenty of stone fruit on the palate, well
balanced with comfortable tannins and very long in the mouth.
The supper wine was a very drinkable Bordeaux blend with some Syrah.
Mark produced a very appetising ensalada de habas (1) Chilean Marinated Pork Belly with Pebra Salsa and asado
(2)Bean, Pumpkin & Rocket Salad, followed by alfajoras (3)Caramel Sandwich Biscuits.
All together a very interesting evening.
10 Max |
||
| Aperitif: Lapostolle Pisco Cocktail with Elderflower | ||
| The Whites: (1) Grand Selection Sauvignon Blanc, 2017 |
10.04 | 6+ |
| (2) Lapostolle Selection Semillon/Torrontes, 2017 | 17.98 | 7 |
| (3) Cuvée Alex Chardonnay, 2016 | 7.95 | 7+ |
| (4) La Rosé, 2018 | 10.04 | 7+ |
| The Reds: (5) Cuvée Alex Pinot Noir, 2015 |
14.91 | 7+ |
| (6) Grand Selection Merlot, 2015 | 10.04 | 7+ |
| (7) Cuvée Alex Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015 | 14.91 | 8 |
| (8) Lapostolle Selection Grenache, 2016 | 14.91 | 8 |
| Supper Wine: (8) Le Rouge, 2013 |
11.98 | |
* Special Members Prices
** Price of Pisco Liqueur