Royal Mail Hotel Degustation

With matching wines. This not a food blog after all.

18 January 2016

Quaint blue stone cottages for accommodation. Ten minutes from the restaurant was not a problem as courtesy transport is all part of the package.

Mt Sturgeon from the cottage

Blue stone cottage

I was planning on taking pictures of each course with its accompanying wine.

Shell was having none of that. I was crossing the line into ‘wine wanker’ territory.

Eight courses in total (not counting what seemed like an endless supply of complimentary dishes).

The food was excellent.

The service attentive and skilled.

Special mention to Julian, the young Frenchman who is acting sommelier. Knowledge that defies his youth and the confidence to admit when he is unsure. Outstanding prospect for the Royal Mail. I would suggest they make the position his before he gets snapped up by a big city establishment.

The line up-

Portland abalone, bacon and succulents

2011 Tarrington Vineyards ‘Saignee de rose’ – Henry, VIC

Pinot characteristics on the nose with confectionery. Dry with clean acidity. A decent expression of a wine style that does nothing for me.

Garden snails, toasted rice, garlic and parsley

Nu Lustau ‘Escuadrilla’ Rare Amontillado – Jerez, Spain

Oxidised and nutty on the nose. Quite a nice sherry. While it did not clash with the dish neither were improved by the pairing.

Blue eye, red cabbage, cucumber and crayfish sauce

2012 Patrick Piuze ‘terrior de eye’ Chablis – Chablis, France

Best wine of the night. No flabby fruit and heavy oak so often seen in Australian chardonnay. Clean sharp citrus fruit with sweet spices on the nose. Excellent mouthfeel with balanced acidity. A great wine.

Greenville farm pork, turnip, curly kale and apple

2013 Faively ‘clos de myglands’ Burgogne – Burgundy, France

Savoury complexity without lacking dark fruits on the nose. Refined and classy on the palate. Gripping fine tannins. Good wine.

Royal Mail beef and onions

2005 Restif Cabernet Sauvignon – Yarra Valley, VIC

Blackberries, crushed herbs and a hint of sweet spice. Well balanced, fine integrated tannins and medium length.

Cucumber, tonic sorbet and aloe vera

Peach, cultured ice-cream and basil

2010 Pichot ‘le marigny’ Moelleux Vouvray Chenin Blanc – Loire, France

A classic Vouvray. Pears, oranges and honey on the nose. Sweet mouthfeel without being cloying.

Figs, milk and honey

2013 Royal Tokaji Co. Furmint blend – Tokaji, Hungary

Toffee and praline. Thick mouth coating consistency. A good wine without being exceptional.