Wine

[ikileo]

was at the Culina wine fair at Marriott today, very nice stuff. i see them all the time whenever i visit Culina, just that I could never afford (or at least not willing to pay for it). it was quite crowded with different tables representing different producers. some were manned by Culina staff, but some of the producers had their managers or regional reps come down to promote the wine.

too bad i only spend less than 2 hours there, due to work commitments later in the afternoon (i know, working on a sat...) so i couldn't taste all of the wines, but i managed to taste those that i wanted which amounted to around 38 wines in about an hour and a half. that's about 2+ min per wine haha...had to write down tasting notes and everything too. Among those I have tasted were big labels like Torbreck, Chapoutier and Joseph Phelps. I will upload the tasting notes soon, just need to compile them all.

on a side note, i was pretty much the youngest there (as usual) but i love talking with the sales reps from the producers themselves about the wines and production. lots of 'ang moh pai' people walking around, lots of asian ladies with their caucasian boyfriend/husband. got quite a bit of ang moh also and older singaporean males in their 40s to 60s (rich old men)...very interesting make-up, it was essentially a typically Culina type of clientele.

but as mentioned, will upload soon.

 

[ianlow32]

very informative!

 

[ikileo]

for those waiting for the tasting notes for the Culina session, please be a little more patient. it's about 40 tasting notes and it takes a while to write them. will send the link as soon as possible.

 

[Beta_Tester]

Hows your Otto lunch?

 

[ikileo]

Hows your Otto lunch?

it was dinner. it was very good. the degustation was filling and delicious.

Amuse Bouche: Finely sliced Ribeye with some kind of fancy cheese (can't remember)

1st: Tuna Tartare with Whole Grain Mustard and Tomato Jelly

2nd: Seafood Soup in Tomato Broth

3rd: Veal Ravioli with MorelMushroom in Thyme Cream Sauce

4th: Seared Atlantic Cod with Garlic Glaze and Spinach (gf had the tenderloin)

5th: Bergamot(a type of citrus) Parfait/Semifreddo with Strawberry Jelly

We drank the 2002 Tablas Creek Esprit du Beaucastel Blanc & 2007 Pierre Amadieu "Roulepierre" Cotes du Rhone (half bottle). Free corkage is awesome.

The white was outstanding, awesome rhone white blend made in the USA (Paso Robles, CA) very classy, perfume like. at 14.5% alcohol, no heat at all. Made from one of the top producers in Rhone, Chateau Beaucastel, who ventured and linked up with a prominent grower/winemaker in US to make rhone wines in the USA. At 8 years of asge, this wine has developed many nice characteristics and it is a wine that makes you think between each sip.

The "Roulepierre" is a entry level Cotes du Rhone from producer Pierre Amadieu. Lovely robust fruit with a streak of freshness and minerality on the palate. Nothing overly complex, just delicious. I brought this along more so for my gf's tenderloin dish.

service was prompt and discrete despite being relatively crowded, there were at least two large groups of more than 6 people dining. a table of 4 tai tais, a trio of business men, and a couple of couples. not bad for a tuesday evening.

 

[nautilus]

it was dinner. it was very good. the degustation was filling and delicious.

Amuse Bouche: Finely sliced Ribeye with some kind of fancy cheese (can't remember)

1st: Tuna Tartare with Whole Grain Mustard and Tomato Jelly

2nd: Seafood Soup in Tomato Broth

3rd: Veal Ravioli with MorelMushroom in Thyme Cream Sauce

4th: Seared Atlantic Cod with Garlic Glaze and Spinach (gf had the tenderloin)

5th: Bergamot(a type of citrus) Parfait/Semifreddo with Strawberry Jelly

We drank the 2002 Tablas Creek Esprit du Beaucastel Blanc & 2007 Pierre Amadieu "Roulepierre" Cotes du Rhone (half bottle). Free corkage is awesome.

The white was outstanding, awesome rhone white blend made in the USA (Paso Robles, CA) very classy, perfume like. at 14.5% alcohol, no heat at all. Made from one of the top producers in Rhone, Chateau Beaucastel, who ventured and linked up with a prominent grower/winemaker in US to make rhone wines in the USA. At 8 years of asge, this wine has developed many nice characteristics and it is a wine that makes you think between each sip.

The "Roulepierre" is a entry level Cotes du Rhone from producer Pierre Amadieu. Lovely robust fruit with a streak of freshness and minerality on the palate. Nothing overly complex, just delicious. I brought this along more so for my gf's tenderloin dish.

service was prompt and discrete despite being relatively crowded, there were at least two large groups of more than 6 people dining. a table of 4 tai tais, a trio of business men, and a couple of couples. not bad for a tuesday evening.

Wait a minute.......free corkage at Otto? Wow!

 

[ikileo]

yeah free corkage on Mon, Tues, Wed.
awesome stuff.

 

[ikileo]

phew, finally my tasting notes are up. the link is on my blog.
if u are interested in any of the wines i reviewed just ask me here for the price 'cos i got a copy of the price list during the event.

http://wineofthepeople.livejournal.com/

 

[nautilus]

Thanks for the link and the interesting TNs. Can you let me know the price of a bottle of 2005 M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac and where can i get them?

 

[ikileo]

all the wines are available at Culina (Dempsey Hill).

The 05 Barbe Rac was excellent but still quite expensive. It is their premium CdP. A 100% Grenache, retailing at $150.

but this wine you have to lay down for at least another 5 to 10 years.

 

[nautilus]

all the wines are available at Culina (Dempsey Hill).

The 05 Barbe Rac was excellent but still quite expensive. It is their premium CdP. A 100% Grenache, retailing at $150.

but this wine you have to lay down for at least another 5 to 10 years.

Hmm, that's around Beaucastel pricing. Do you know how does it compare?

 

[ikileo]

not really, haven't had the chance (money) to sample the higher efforts from the more prominent Rhone producers to compare.

but i think pricing is similar to the regular beaucastel CdP, while the beaucastel premium CdP, Hommage a Jacques Perrin, is insanely more expensive

 

[Beta_Tester]

bro u gt help me ask the bread bo?

 

[ikileo]

@Beta_Tester: oops....sorry. was too involved with the food. I suppose you could call/email them. They are quite prompt and professional.

 

[ikileo]

what is everyone going to drink or planning to drink or planning purchase this long weekend?

 

[doran_lum]

was passing by Wine Connection at Robinson Quay ..they have some wine discount while stocks last..maybe we could have a gathering there..anyway the sale items r for retail only

 

[ikileo]

they have a wide selection but yeah as you said, the discounted prices are only if you purchase the wines to bring home and not dine in.

in addition they charge corkage for their own wines on fridays and saturdays

 

[ikileo]

just updated my blog: its an aussie rieslings this time.

on a side note, if any of u have any wines u want me to test out first that's not too expensive, just let me know here and i can help do a review first so you can be more informed on your next purchase.

 

[Delusion_Disorder]

Noted there is a new wine cellar newly open in Triple One Somerset ( Singapore Power Building which is behind 313 Orchard)...quite decent collection...good price for some promotion items too..

 

[power789]

Any chance for a wine session this sunday? Which is tmr?