MCO restrictions were lightened here in KL on Monday. Restaurants are now open with social distancing measures in place.
We are fortunate to live in a condo that sits above ‘The Row’, a food and wine strip.
There is a French place on the street that reliably produces great food and is BYO.
Last night, was no exception. Lobster bisque and ratatouille to start. Lamb and beef rib with a side of cauliflower. Finished with crème brûlée and passionfruit soufflé. Outstanding.
And the wine.
Wine is a rabbit hole. You dip your toe in Burgundy, come up for air to try a Barbaresco that reframes your opinion on wine. Before long you are reading books on Piedmont, tasting notes on Brunello and suddenly you have a cellar full of Chianti, yet somehow Nebbiolo is your favourite grape, and whatever happened to Burgundy… can I afford that Barolo?
And then there is Bordeaux.
Maybe because I am a Merlot bigot, or it simply sits in a blind spot, I have never explored the wines of Bordeaux. Odd, because Australian Cabernet started me on this wine journey all those years ago.
Along with the LaForge we drank last week, this was another impulse but from Shell. The only French wine we have.
Saint Julien sits on the left bank, and is considered one of the great appellations of Bordeaux. Left bank wines are usually Cabernet dominate, however there are exceptions to every rule.
36% Cabernet.
64% Merlot.
You can’t deny the Cabernet on the nose. Black fruits and fresh herbs. A good hit of aniseed that is almost liquorice. Some chocolate in the background, but the oak seems minimal. On the palate the merlot comes forward. Still black fruits, but leaning into cherries. The liquorice gives way to dried herbs. It is a little heavy, but the Cabernet gives it a well balanced structure. Soft tannins, but the finish, which seems to go forever.
I loved this wine. Reading my notes I can still see I have a grudge against Merlot. All credit seems to go to the Cabernet.
Bordeaux needs a good look.
Merlot needs a second chance.
