Went to Ten Bells for the first time last night and we had a damn fine bottle of 2009 Tavijn Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato. All the lovely florals and minerals but with such dark sexy gulpable fruit gushing through the midpalate. So easy to drink yet with plenty of nuance to entertain the mouth in the process. Perfect for the setting.
We also had a bottle of 2008 Texier Côtes du Rhône Brézème which needed longer to open up but eventually showed a soft gentle interpretation of Brézèmeness. Yet it didn't have the biting acidity that I used to expect from Brézème and that I have found from other 08s from the region. Obviously more research is needed on all fronts.
Otherwise, was favorably impressed with the food. Nothing fantastic of course but it was all delicious and the portions were not as tiny as I feared.
We also had a bottle of 2008 Texier Côtes du Rhône Brézème which needed longer to open up but eventually showed a soft gentle interpretation of Brézèmeness. Yet it didn't have the biting acidity that I used to expect from Brézème and that I have found from other 08s from the region. Obviously more research is needed on all fronts.
Otherwise, was favorably impressed with the food. Nothing fantastic of course but it was all delicious and the portions were not as tiny as I feared.