Recently we discovered that the Bentely was to close for 3 weeks in order to undertake some renovations. Keen to pop in for one final session, we perched up at the bar, talked shit and drank some wines.
2005 Clos Rougeard "Breze" Saumur Blanc
A favourite discovery over 2009, Clos Rougeard reaches a pinnacle with their red wines unmatched anywhere else in the Loire (it's in France). 100% Cab Franc, the wines (3 separate cuvees) are fresh and high in acid, with crystal clear fruit definition and stunning spice/earth notes holding the wine straight. They also age into quite fascinating dry reds.
They make only one white however - a barrel fermented Chenin Blanc. Wow.
Decanted into a funny looking teapot thing called Aventinus (spelling??), it took a few minutes to come into its own. A touch of musk, then almonds and sharp green fruits come into play. Is it a 1er cru Chablis? Half an hour later oatmeal and hazel with acacia is jumping from the glass. Is it Puligny-Montrachet? The texture is rich, soft and supple, the oak is massive but yet the heat is negligable and the fruit handles it. A revelation.
2007 Gamay Sans Tra La La (Loire)
Cool as a summer breeze. Redcurrant, blueberry, iron-like minerality, graphite, acid....bang. A bargain.
2008 Vertigo 25GR Riesling, Adelaide Hills
A cheeky collab between David Le Mire MW and Peter Leske of Nepenthe, this is one of many off dry rieslings sweeping the aussie market as we chase something slightly germanic. apples of many hues, citrus rinds and dull flowers, acidity not bracing enough to cope with the sweetness, some mild tangerine juice on the finish. Seeing as we drank it en bouteille, I was fairly happy with it. More on this incredible phenomenon later.
We eat some pimentos de padron, the russian roulette of chillies. some are hot, some aint....only one way to find out. Ouch.
Bentley will return bigger badder and blacker in the near future
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