A total of 43 members and partners of the Manchester Commanderie travelled to the Lindeth Howe Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere for the biennial, Commanderie de Bordeaux à Manchester, Lakes weekend away.
The incentive for an early arrival on the Friday afternoon was a wonderful afternoon tea of Scones, Preserve and Clotted Cream – a perfect start to the weekend.
The Friday evening event started at 7.00pm with the 2019 Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine of Château Bauduc. An ideal aperitif, accompanied by some wonderful canapés which started the evening to great effect. When the final bottle of the Crémant had been dispatched, those in attendance moved into the dining room eagerly anticipating the four-course dinner with wines to match.
Dinner commenced with Smoked Salmon Mousse, Baby Gem, Lemon Gel, Crostini and Herb Oil accompanied by The Wine Society’s Graves Generation 2019. The Mousse was delightful as was the white wine of Graves which had a little minerality on the palate, a clean dry finish and, as AI summarized, was of a classic style with a long aromatic finish.
The vintages of 2009 and 2010, Château Gloria, AOC St-Julien were served with the main course of Braised Lamb Shoulder, Grilled Mediterranean Vegetables, Dauphinoise Potato, Black Olive Tapenade and Red Wine Jus. Whilst both vintages were enjoyed by all present, it was thought that the 2009 showed slightly better than 2010 and was perfect with the Lamb Shoulder.
To accompany the Cheese Course of Eden Valley Brie and Shipston Blue, with Grapes and Quince Jelly, Château Haut Marbuzet 2007, AOC St Estèphe was poured. Whilst the wine of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc was enjoyed by all present and matched well with the cheeses, the wine was slightly overshadowed by the 2009 Château Gloria.
As the final course of an excellent dinner, Apple Crumble Cheesecake, Clotted Cream Parfait with Cider Syrup was served; we returned to the wines of Château Bauduc for the final wine of the evening – the Château Bauduc 2011, AOC Sauternes. This very elegant and refined wine of good balance and quite a bit of complexity was an ideal wine to match with the very tasty Apple Crumble Cheesecake, notwithstanding a slight difference in colour between some of the bottles.
Saturday
Following breakfast on what was a beautiful sunny Saturday morning, many took part on Commander Fletcher’s wonderful walk to Far Sawrey – with the inevitable pub-lunch! This was an ideal way to shake off the indulgence of the previous night and prepare for the Saturday evening pre-dinner wine tasting!
As the clock struck 5.00pm the nine bottle wine tasting commenced. A fantastic range of wines to taste was assembled by Vinothécaire, Commander Tim Edwards, consisting of:
- Black & White Blancs de Noirs, Vin de France, 2024 white
- Ch. Malartic Lagravière, Pessac-Léognan, 2016 white
- Ch. Clos du Roy, Fronsac, 2021, red
- George de Puygueraud, Côtes de Francs, 2016, red
- Ch. de Fonbel, St-Emilion, 2019, red
- Reserve de Malartic Lagravière, Pessac-Léognan, 2014, red
- Ch. Lalande-Borie, St-Julien, 2014, red
- Ch. Gruaud-Larose, St-Julien, 2006, red
- Ch Doisy-Védrines, Sauternes, 2015, sweet white
Whilst all of the wines were enjoyed, with many of those attending having their own particular favourites, the two wines of Château Malartic Lagravière and the Lalande- Borie were very well received. The most interesting wine to be tasted was the white wine of Black and White Blancs de Noirs, 2024 which had good depth and gave a slightly sweet finish. Remarkable, given that it is a white wine of 100% Merlot grapes!
After a short evening break Commanders and their Partners re-grouped at 7.15pm for the pre-dinner aperitif of the English sparkling white wine of Bloomsbury Ridgeview. The very pleasant wine with traces of pear and honey was perfectly matched to the lovely canapés.
The Saturday evening dinner started with Parma Ham, Mix Melon and Berries, Pineapple, and Raspberry Sorbet accompanied by the 2022 Rosé wine of Château Bauduc. The wine, which went well with the Starter, had a much darker hue than more traditional Rosé wines and was described as being a ‘very good average Rosé wine’.
An interesting fish course of Pan Seared Sea Bream and Tapioca, Dashi Cream and Basil came next and was very well received – as were both the 2017 and 2018 vintages of the Clos De Lunes, Lune d’Argent. Both vintages complemented the ‘saltiness’ of the Sea Bream and given their age were not thought to be ‘geriatric’ at all.
The main course of Rump of Beef, Loweswater Gold and Onion Puree, Broccoli Mashed Potato, Confit Tomato and Red Wine Jus came next and was complemented by the wonderful Château Gazin 2012, AOC Pomerol. Purple in colour, the 100% Merlot wine had a great nose of black fruits and was very full-bodied on the palate and gave a lovely long finish. This wine was one of the highlights of the weekend.
After the delightful Gazin 2012 many wondered how the Château du Tertre, 2006, AOC Margaux, would compare when served with the Cheese course of Cumberland Farmhouse and Shipston Blue with Grapes and Quince Jelly. The good news is the Cabernet Sauvignon wine also showed very well, with black fruits on the nose and a medium-bodied finish.
As the dessert of Dark Chocolate Marquise Banana, Fudge, and Vanilla Ice Cream was served, the final wine of the weekend event, Clos Haut-Peyraguey, 2014, AOC 1er Cru Classé, Sauternes was served. And what another delight – an ideal accompaniment to the Chocolate Marquise with flavours of honey and apricot and a full-bodied, fresh finish.
As the evening progressed, thanks were given to all those at Lindeth Howe who had been so kind in looking after all those present over the weekend. Likewise deserved thanks were also given to those on Conseil who had been instrumental in arranging the weekend event. Here’s to 2027!
Le Maître, Colin Smith
