COAL PIT Sauvignon Blanc 2009

 

Grape                              : Sauvignon Blanc
Country of Origin : New Zealand
Region                           : Central Otaga
Vintage                          : 2009
Alcoholic Content : 12.5%

Damage to my purse : Bought from a wine distributor at S$38.

Characteristic :
I found its characteristics to be very much as what mentioned by the Producer: “An aromatic wine with intense passion fruit and elderflower nose, and followed by classic gooseberry, capsicum, grapefruit and tropical guava.  The finishing is unusually long and opulent underpinned with minerality and candied orange blossom flavours.”

MY TAKE : My senses were filled with the tropics; this wine brought excellent surprises to the palate, great Sauvignon Blanc.  Please note for this 2009 vintage, the drinking period is till 2013.

SMIDGE Houdini Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Grape                              : Sauvignon Blanc
Country of Origin : Australia (South)
Region                           : Adelaide Hills
Vintage                          : 2010
Alcoholic Content : 13%

Damage to my purse : Bought 2 bottles of this wine from a wine distributor at S$36 each.

Characteristic :
Golden lemon (in colour).  The bouquet was rather restrained.  The palate has a mineral edge, with citrus-y fruits and good acidity, and long and subtle finish.

MY TAKE : Tasted some really outstanding Sauvignon Blanc from a small wine producer (the Barratt) while I was at the Adelaide Hills a couple of years back.  This was also the reason why I bought 2 bottles of the Smidge Houdini Sauv Blanc (from the same region) even though I was not much of a white wine drinker.  This wine was good (but not outstanding).  While blogging about this, I came to realise that I need to drink up the other bottle quickly  since its recommended shelf-life is not more than 2 years.

Spanish Wine Dinner at SANTI

Though we were not considered to be regulars of Santi, this was already our 4th time dining here this year.
Tonight wine dinner was recommended by the restaurant’s Chef Sommelier, Paco Galdeano, when we were there 2 weeks’ ago.
We were happy that we came.  Both the wine and food were great and extremely good value for money.

…….

COCKTAIL RECEPTION

Jamón ibérico with chopped tomato on baguette

Crispy Jamon on quail egg

Bacalao wrapped in red pepper

Prelude to our 7-course dinner, unlimited amount of tapas and sparkling white wine (Agusti Torello Mata Brut Reserva 2008) were served.  There were 4 different types of tapas being served and I managed to capture 3 of them.  I could eat this all night, especially the Jamón ibérico with chopped tomatoes (underneath the ham) on top of the sliced baguette.

A jolly mood after many rounds of tapas and sparkling wine

…….

WINE DINNER

(left) Ricardo P. Palacios, the Wine-Maker, and (right) Daniel Chavez, the Executive Chef

These were the 2 most important men tonight.  Ricardo (the wine producer of Descendientes De J. Palacios), who has been into wines since a tender age and whose mother is a wine producer herself, flew down from Corullón (Spain) to introduce the wine he produces around the Corullón region.  Daniel (the Executive Chef of Santi, @MBS), with a Chinese-Peruvian background, orchestrated the dinner menu for tonight.

1st Course

Octopus and Calamari “A La Plancha”, sofrito catalan and iberic ham chips
Pairing wine, Placet Valtomelloso 2008

This was a light dish, with very fresh produce, and went very well with the wine paired.
On the wine: this was the only white wine for the dinner and also the only wine that was not produced by Ricardo.  This wine has got intense aromas (on  the nose).  It was a dense wine, yet slightly dry but fresh and fruity at the same time.  A tasty white wine.

2nd Course

Organic Chicken and Crustacean Salad, truffle vinaigrette
Pairing wine: Petalos del Bierzo 2009

The chicken were tender and the skin slightly crispy and not oily at all.  The prawn and the crayfish added seafood freshness to the chicken.  Also, not forgetting to highlight the pear salad that brought a mild sweetness to the overall dish.
On the wine: this was a flexible wine that could potentially go well with most food.  This was an intense and pungent (in a good way) wine.  With the correct acidity, moderately smooth, and gave a lot of fruity after taste.  I liked this wine!

3rd Course

Wild Mushroom Cocotte, potato parmenter
Pairing wine: Villa de Corrullon 2008

This was a thick foamy soup with wild mushrooms, potato, and a small piece of roasted pork.  I found this dish rather rich, although well made.
On the wine: with lavender fragrance (on the nose), a smooth wine with tastes of oak and intense black cherry.

4th Course

White Veal Tortellini, cabbage and baby turnips
Pairing wine: Moncerbal 2008

The white veal tortellini was too salty for me.  But I liked the sweetness of the cabbage and the fresh crispness of the baby turnips.  Overall, this was my least favourite dish.
On the wine: this red wine was more complex than the earlier 2.  It was spicy both on the nose and taste.  A lot of flavours from berries to bitter chocolate, licorice.  Quite dry, although intense in taste, it was not heavy.

5th Course

Roasted Baby Duck, grilled foie gras and white onion puree
Pairing wine: Las Lamas 2008

(left) Villa de Corrullon 2008, (centre) Moncerbal 2008, (right) Las Lamas 2008

This was my favourite.  The duck was cooked nicely, the meat was tender and juicy, and the skin was crispy yet not oily.  Foie gras was seared just right.  The wine pairing was fantastic.
On the wine:  this was the best wine tonight (for me).  It was almost as complex a wine as the Moncerbal 2008, yet without the spiciness.  Very smooth and well-balanced.  Great wine!

Palate Cleansing Dish

Green apple sorbet with strawberry jelly

6th Course

Ice Lemon Tea, pineapple, ginger, and lemon zest ice cream

Very tropical, a delightful dessert.

7th Course

Petit Fours and Coffee

Some small cakes and a good cappuccino ended the wine dinner on a satisfying note.

______________________________

Santi Santamaria Restaurant
Marina Bay Sands
10 Bayfront Ave
Tel: +65-6688-8501 

CLOUDY BAY Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Grape                              : Sauvignon Blanc
Country of Origin : New Zealand
Region                           : Marlborough
Vintage                          : 2011
Alcoholic Content : 13.5%

Damage to my purse : Between S$45-S$50

Characteristic :
Very fragrant on the nose.  It’s juicely sweet and mildly dry and crisp toward the end.
This is an enjoyable white, yet easy to drink.  It’s good on its own or goes well with some fresh oysters.

MY TAKE : Definitely a yes.  By far, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc has not disappointed.

DRY RIVER Gewurztraminer 2009

Grape                              : Gewurztraminer
Country of Origin : New Zealand
Region                           : Martinborough (Lovat Vineyard)
Vintage                          : 2009
Alcoholic Content : 14.0%

Damage to my purse : Got a great deal at S$60

Characteristic :
A rich and silky texture with concentrated taste of citrus fruits and aromatic floral flavours.  It has got elegant spicy notes on the nose.
It’s a great wine to enjoy on its own, especially after a relaxing dinner.

MY TAKE: Yes, I love wines from the Dry River.

SPINYBACK

Grape : Sauvignon Blanc
Country of Origin : Nelson, New Zealand
Vintage : 2010
Alcoholic Content : 13.5%

Damage to the purse : S$25.50 (approximate)

Characteristic :
– Aromas of limes, nectarines, and gooseberries
– Slightly sharp on the tongue
– Fruity in taste
– Semi-dry

MY TAKE : Not likely to drink again!