El Bulli

Wednesday, May 2

El Bulli in Roses (Spain) was again elected best restaurant in the world.
I am happy to be able to go there to eat in June with a group of friends, for in addition to Ferran Adria’s creativity, wine amateurs like us will have the privilege to experience the pairings and discoveries from our friend Juli Soler. The location, a portrait of paradise and the cultural justification of Dali’s work will make it a great experience.

Yesterday for May 1st, we had a meal with François Mauss. His comments were published on the Mark Squires BB:

Lunch at Thunevin for May 1st which is a "day-off" in France.

After a good Clavoillon from Domaine Leflaive 2000 and a finer, more elegant Boillot Chassagne (white) 1er cru 1999, we did start by a huge, powerful, complex Valandraud 2000.

But, today, I prefer to speak about a pure gem, served blind, that I did put on the left bank as a first growth : Valandraud 98.

I was astonished by the highly complex aroma and, more over, by the length and sensible finish, with a little pepper taste (not green), a spicy touch and an elegance of high class.

Maybe someone will tell me the score in primeur of this wine, but certainly a big surprise in the right bank.

When I did ask Jean-Luc : why such left bank tipicity, he put that on the fact, for this vintage, he has 50 % cabernets francs.

Definitively a varietal able to bring "more" to top merlot ?

And to go on the fresh first strawberries : an Eiswein 2002 from Schlossgut Diel : whao ! That's something too !