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20-Apr-2002

Gala Dinner at Hintlesham Hall

To finish off the wonderful Rhone Wine Weekend, an elegant gala dinner - accompanied by the best wines of Perrin and Colombo - was lavishly thrown by Decanter, Lay & Wheeler, and the excellent chef of Hintlesham Hall.

Seared fillet of seabass, mild curried couscous, chive reduction
2000 Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, 'Les Pins Couches', J-L Colombo
2000 Chateau de Beaucastel Blanc, Perrin
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Layered vegetable and confit of duck terrine, basil dressing
1999 St. Joseph 'Les Lauves' Vieilles Vignes, J-L Colombo
1999 Paso Robles 'Tablas Creek' , California - Perrin
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Loin of venison, wild mushrooms, grain mustard galette, red wine jus
1994 Cornas 'Les Ruchets', J-L Colombo
1995 Hommage a Jacques Perrin - Perrin
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Double backed goats cheese souffle, rosemary marinated baby leeks
1985 Chateau de Beaucastel - Perrin
1991 Cornas 'Les Ruchets', J-L Colombo
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Smooth caramel tart, ginger ice cream
1999 Muscat de Rivesaltes - J-L Colombo
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Cafetiere coffee and petits fours


The quality and presentation of each dish far exceeded my expectations. The atmosphere was relaxed and convivial. And the wines, especially the more mature ones, were truly expressive of what both J-L Colombo and Perrin strive to achieve.


2000 J-L Colombo, Coteaux d'Aix en Provence 'Les Pins Couches' - Yesterday we tasted the red (Syrah) wine from this mediterranean vineyard. The white here is made of Roussanne and Vermentino. Medium nose of white fruits with some wood notes. Drinkable and forgettable...
Fair. MARK 15/20.
2000 Perrin, Chateau de Beaucastel Blanc - Similar impression to the one tasted this morning. Pretty deep fruity nose (raspberry?) and taste with noticeable (dry) honeyed finish. Good future.
Good-plus. MARK 16.5/20.
1999 J-L Colombo, St. Joseph 'Les Lauves' - Single vineyard pure Syrah. Simple fruit and some spice on the nose. Quite rich in flavor but lacks complexity or real finesse.
Reasonable. MARK 15.5/20.
1999 Perrin, Paso Robles 'Tables Creek', California - From the Hass/Perrin operation in California. 45% Mourvedre with additional Syrah and Grenache. Plummy smokey nose. Interesting but not particularly charming on the palate.
Reasonable. MARK 15.5/20.
1994 J-L Colombo, Cornas 'Les Ruchets' - Much more mature and ready than the previously tasted young Ruchets. Complex semi-ripe fruit on the nose and the palate. Spicy flavors with excellent length and balance.
Very Good. MARK 17.5/20.
1995 Perrin, Hommage a Jacques Perrin (en magnum) - This rare wine is only made in the best vintages. 70% Mourvedre from 85 years-old vines, augmented by Syrah and Grenache. Very fine spicy nose with apparent black fruit. Very young and still closed on the palate. Wonderful long finish attests to the future of this exceptionally balanced wine.
Superb. MARK 18.5/20.
1991 J-L Colombo, Cornas 'Les Ruchets' (en magnum) - Profound minerally spicy nose with ripe black fruit. Deliciously harmonious flavors on the palate. Fully integrated and perfectly balanced. By far the best Cornas I ever tasted.
Superb. MARK 18.5/20.
1985 Perrin, Chateau de Beaucastel - Sublime nose of primary, secondary and tertiary aromas. Deep, harmonious fruit with infinitely complex flavors. Vigorous and expressive as it is smooth and stylish. A great Beaucastel at its absolute peak!
Outstanding! MARK 19/20.
1999 J-L Colombo, Muscat de Rivesaltes - Nice, if not inspiring, desert wine. The inimitable Muscat nose is there but it has neither the freshness of an Alsatian dry Muscat nor the complexity of the really serious fortified sweet wines.
Good. MARK 16/20.


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Jacob "Yak" Shaya.