ボルドー最高評議会
Commanderie
July 16, 2023Commanderie de Bordeaux in Manchester - Inductions & Summer Lunch
On Sunday 16th July 2023, we gathered at The King St Townhouse Hotel in Manchester.
Before lunch was served, we were treated to the ceremony of the Induction of two new Commandeurs: James Rowley and Andrew Cousins. Following the presentation of Medals and Certificates, the first wine was served. It was Chateau Rahoul Blanc 2016 AOC Graves, which matched the first dish of Scallops, Shimeji mushrooms, and pork belly very well.
The main course was Duo of duck breast, duck leg bonbon, carrot puree, Savoy cabbage and caramalised apple jus. This was accompanied by Chateau Canon- La-Gaffeliere 2012, Premier Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Emilion, which most considered to be the ‘best’ wine of the day. This was a Chateau that our Commanderie had visited in 2016 and were delighted to drink this wonderful quality wine produced in a more difficult Bordeaux vintage.
We were privileged to receive exceptional service during the event and diligent work from the Kitchen team, so Maître Colin Smith thanked them and made a small presentation as a token of our appreciation.
Our next course was a wonderful selection of cheeses. This was accompanied by our second red wine, Chateau Cantemerle 2015, Grand Cru Classé from the Haut-Medoc. This is a favourite wine of several Commandeurs and although young, proved to be approachable as it was a good ripe year in Bordeaux and the fruit was showing well.
All too soon we moved on to the Dessert course, which was Raspberry and Vanilla Cheesecake, Fresh Raspberries, meringue white chocolate. The dessert wine was Château Rayne-Vigneau 2011, Grand Cru Classé, AOC Sauternes. From an excellent vintage for the sweet wines, it was much appreciated and was a brilliant choice to round off a wonderful occasion.
We bade our farewells and began our journeys home, knowing that we might arrive back in time to see the end of the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final, which your scribe just managed to achieve.
Richard Martindale – Commanderie de Bordeaux in Manchester.
