The menu for the main course was Beef Tenderloin wrapped in bacon, corn on the cob, and oven roasted potatoes.
Our wine pairing was a bottle of 2000 Chateau Lynch-Moussas (Pauillac) which I had purchased on my trip down to the Premier Group the previous day.
"Smells French!"The wine as I poured it out was a lovely deep rich ruby-purple colour. The aroma coming off this wine was very powerful and infused with raspberry, cedar, cocoa and an earthy peat moss.
I find being very familiar with California Cabs that most of them have a distinct aroma to them which I recognize instantly. I can’t accurately describe what aromas combine to do this and jokingly refer to the aroma as “smells like love”. Now that I am getting more and more exposure to red Bordeaux wines, I’m starting to get that same recognition.
The nose on the Chateau Lynch-Moussas was unquestionably French. The best way I can describe the difference between the two regions is California cabs have a fruity-wood combo going on where with the French one’s it is more of a earthy-wood combo.
"Just missing some Zippy Sauce!"The wine was very well balanced, you could taste the subtle fruit, and it had with a nice spicy finish. It was good with the Beef Tenderloin and then we add some Zippy Sauce to the plate as a dipping sauce. The wine pairing went from good to great.
"Great with the wine!"
I asked Amy to pickup something chocolaty for dessert and she chose a Dark Chocolate Cake with hazelnuts. We all saved some of the wine to go with this dessert and I’m glad we did. The combination of the two was an even better pairing than the pairing with the beef.
Not 15 seconds after we were trying this wine, both Kathy and Amy were asking me how many bottles of this wine I picked up. They weren’t happy when I said “you looking at it”. The bottle was $49.99 US so it was not cheap. There was a discount on it of $7.50 which made it $42.49 US, but after duty, taxes and exchange this bottle worked out to be about $71 Canadian. At that price point, I was not about to pickup multiple bottles of it blind though I wish I did as it would be nice to have a couple on the rack.
Here is the group rating for the wine -Mick - 91, Mark - 89, Kathy – 90, Amy - 92, Overall – 90.5.
There was no information at the LCBO on the 2000 but they did have the 2003 listed –
Château Lynch-Moussas 2003
Not 15 seconds after we were trying this wine, both Kathy and Amy were asking me how many bottles of this wine I picked up. They weren’t happy when I said “you looking at it”. The bottle was $49.99 US so it was not cheap. There was a discount on it of $7.50 which made it $42.49 US, but after duty, taxes and exchange this bottle worked out to be about $71 Canadian. At that price point, I was not about to pickup multiple bottles of it blind though I wish I did as it would be nice to have a couple on the rack.
Here is the group rating for the wine -Mick - 91, Mark - 89, Kathy – 90, Amy - 92, Overall – 90.5.
There was no information at the LCBO on the 2000 but they did have the 2003 listed –
Château Lynch-Moussas 2003
Vintages 963256
750 mL bottle
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 43.55
Wine, Red Wine
12.5% Alcohol/Vol
Sugar Content : XD
Made in: Bordeaux, France
By: Borie-Manoux S.A.R.L.
Release Date: Oct 13, 2007
Tasting Note - Beautiful aromas of blackberry, currant and light licorice follow through to a full-bodied palate, with big and velvety tannins and a long, flavourful finish. Rich and tight wine with wonderful texture. Very well done for this estate. Best after 2010. Score - 90. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, March 31, 2006)
Here is what the Wine Spectator had to say about it –
Château Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac 2000
Very pretty aromas of crushed fruit, with raspberry and blackberry character. Full-bodied, yet fine and silky, with a long, delicious finish. Very balanced red. I can't remember tasting a better Lynch-Moussas. Best after 2009. 20,000 cases made. –JS
Score – 91, Price - $25
Looking over the above two with a $43.55 CDN price and a $25 US release price, the $50 retail price at the Premier Group doesn’t look that good. The only explanation I have is that the Premier Group put down a case or two in storage when it was released in 2004 and are now charging a premium for it.
At $71 US a bottle, this wine is about the right price point but maybe a touch high at $43 CDN. If the 2003 is as good as the 2000, this wine is a steal.
The food and wine for the evening was excellent and I have to give a huge thank you to Mick for modifying his menu to pair with the two wines.
Cheers!
Mark
Here is what the Wine Spectator had to say about it –
Château Lynch-Moussas, Pauillac 2000
Very pretty aromas of crushed fruit, with raspberry and blackberry character. Full-bodied, yet fine and silky, with a long, delicious finish. Very balanced red. I can't remember tasting a better Lynch-Moussas. Best after 2009. 20,000 cases made. –JS
Score – 91, Price - $25
Looking over the above two with a $43.55 CDN price and a $25 US release price, the $50 retail price at the Premier Group doesn’t look that good. The only explanation I have is that the Premier Group put down a case or two in storage when it was released in 2004 and are now charging a premium for it.
At $71 US a bottle, this wine is about the right price point but maybe a touch high at $43 CDN. If the 2003 is as good as the 2000, this wine is a steal.
The food and wine for the evening was excellent and I have to give a huge thank you to Mick for modifying his menu to pair with the two wines.
Cheers!
Mark
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