A Montfort Friday night

We got together with Mick and Amy last night. Amy was in Las Vegas last week on a business trip, so we missed getting together with Amy last week. We went back and forth on the phone trying to decide what to eat and finally settled on Montfort takeout. I have covered Montfort before -

http://zippysauce.blogspot.com/2007/11/montfort-restaurants.html

Once we decided on the food, Mick and I argued over the wine. In the end, Mick had a bottle of white Bordeaux that he really wanted to try with it.

"A good blend"

Mick and Amy came by with the food and the wine and we unpack it all and sat down to eat. The white Bordeaux was a 2005 Clarence Dillion Clarendelle. Mick said it was a Sauvignon Blanc/Semillion blend which I remember is typical grapes of white Bordeaux. My first thoughts upon tasting it were light, easy drinking but it was more like a light Viognier than a Sauvignon Blanc.

It was a good but not great match with the hummos, tomatoes, and Montfort chicken in a pita. After dinner I retired to the living-room with Mick for a cigarette and that it where this wine really shined – on its own. It was very easy drinking and refreshing. This would be a perfect wine in the summer sitting out on the deck with the chilled glass of this in my hand. I asked Mick the price and he said it was $21-$22 (the LCBO’s website is listing for $27 so he probably got it on sale).

LCBO Information -

2005 Clarence Dillion Clarendelle White
Vintages 28845
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 26.75
12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Made in: Bordeaux, France
By: Clarence Dillon S.A.
Release Date: Jun 9, 2007

Tasting Note - Clarendelle Blanc is a typical blend for the region of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, about 60 per cent Semillon in this case. It has a very pale gold colour, and a subtle, fresh nose of peaches and pear, with a little floral note and just a hint of a mealy richness. On the palate it is medium-bodied with punchy white fruit flavours, and a dry, mineral acidity running through it. This is very restrained and grown-up in style, with minimal oak influence and a food-friendly, savoury quality. (Tom Cannavan, wine-pages.com, Aug. 2006)

Pros – easy drinking, great on its own.

Cons – better food wines out there, price – at $27 there are better wines out there for less money.

Cheers!

Mark