Last week Stuart Blackwell of St. Hallett hosted a tasting at a local restaurant that was truely enjoyable. Stuart is a real character and only added to the evening.
Amuse: Sesame Crusted shrimp with leek apple relish and curry mayo -
- served with 2006 Poachers Blend (Semillon/Suvignon Blanc. Nice pairing, as the wine had the crispness and acidity to stand up to the shrimp
Starter" Spiced Crab Napoleon with Phyllo Wafers and pineapple-celery broth
- 2006? Eden valley Reisling. The wine was very dry, with citrus nose and flavours. I preferred the wine to the dish...the crab was a little to chopped up and seasoned. The wine was great though.
Pasta: Butternut Squash Agnolotti with crispy duck confit and pancetta cream.
2005 GST (grenache, Shiraz, Touriga). The Agnolotti was great...what a nice combination of flavours, with nothing dominating, but all adding to the final taste. The wine started out really "earthy"...but benefitted from time in the glass. The wine was much better with the food.
Soup: Wild mushrooms minestrone in roast garlic broth with crispy marscarpone dumplings
2006 Faith Shiraz. This lighter shiraz paired nicely with the soup, which was not as heavy as it sounds.
Lamb: Malaysian crusted rack of lamb with savoury truffled bread pudding and red wine demi glace.
2005 Blackwell and 2004 Old Block.
The lamb was delicious, and went better with the Blackwell...which is one of my favourite shirazes. It is big, bold and in your face, with strong berry flavours and a hint of mocha. The Old Block is smoother, more refined, and more elegant. Tasting both side by each confirms why I enjoy the St. Hallet wines so much.
Chocolate: Chocolate Fruit bouchon with vanilla bean ice cream
St. Hallett Special Fortified. This is a "non existant" wine, not one they sell, just something they make from time to time. Sweet, thick and great with the bouchon.
A great evening...