Description
A Burgundy Dinner with Hervé Kerlann of Château de Laborde
Tuesday November 12th 2019
This magnificent wine dinner and tasting will take place aboard “The Yacht”, moored permanently at Temple Pier on the River Thames near Temple Underground Station at 7pm for 7.30
The Château de Laborde was first constructed in 1119 and lies a few kilometres to the east of Beaune. It was one of the residence of the Ducs de Bourgogne up until the 13th century and then in 1678 Nicolas II Brûlart constructed a magnificent edifice which became known as “le Versailles de Bourgogne”.
The first record of vineyards belonging to the château was in 1704 which mentioned vineyards totalling “90 ouvrées” which is about 3.65 hectares. In 1785, the château was purchased by a noble banker, Jean Joseph de Laborde, later Marquis de Laborde. Guillotined in 1794, the château was abandoned and fell into ruin.
In 1998, Hervé and his wife Mandy fell in love with the place and over the last 20 years have conducted a reconstruction programme, rebuilding stone by stone, the magnificent structure that is there today. Of course he didn’t forget the vineyards and now has a domaine of 6 hectares, 3 around the château and another 3 in small parcels in the commune of Volnay and Santenay. He also buys in grapes from various appellations around Burgundy as a true négociant-éleveur and makes the wines at his new (2016) winemaking facility at the Château de Laborde.
Hervé was recently nominated by Tim Atkin MW as one of the 25 up and coming Burgundy producers to watch.
Proceedings will start with canapés at 7pm accompanied by Hervé’s Rosé de Blanc 2017 – 75% Aligoté from 60 year old vines situated just outside the Puligny Montrachet appellation and 25% Pinot Noir from the estate vineyard at Ch. De Laborde.
The meal kicks off at 7.30 with Prawns in a Citrus and Beetroot marinade and here the Aligoté 2015 comes into its own with its minerality
We then come to the Pan-seared Hake where the richer Blanc de Pinot Noir 2015 from 25 year old vines holds sway. This is a white wine made from the Châteaux’s Pinot Noir holdings. This is an unusual wine. Champagne pressing is applied in stages of pressure to allow the extraction of a clear, untinted, balance of sweet and acidic juice which is then settled cold. Half of the wine is fermented in stainless steel vats to keep freshness and tension. The other half is fermented in old oak barrels to complete the aromatic complexity.
The main course of Pheasant is accompanied by a Bourgogne Côte d’Or “Au Prunier” 2017 from a single vineyard just south of the Gevrey Chambertin appellation surrounded by the Les Platières and Grand Champs vineyards from 30 year old vines. Matured for 12 months in 50% new and 50% old oak barriques and bottled with light filtration.
We have saved the pièce de résistance until last with a full bloodied Gévrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2011 to drink with the selection of French cheeses.
This is going to be a great evening with Hervé on hand to tutor taste you through the wines and answer your questions
The cost of this magnificent dîner is £97 to include everything. To book please go to https://www.winebehindthelabel.org/product/wine-dinners-at-the-yachtt. Club members can obtain a 10% discount by going to https://www.winebehindthelabel.org/product/wine-dinners-at-the-yacht
THE DINNER
Canapés
Rosé de Blanc 2017 VDF
Citrus and Beetroot marinated Prawns with Wasabi Mayo
Bourgogne Aligoté 2015
Pan Seared Hake with Beurre Blanc
Blanc de Pinot Noir 2015
Half Hen Pheasant with Red Currant Jus, Potato Purée and Charred Asparagus
Ch de Laborde 2017 Bourgogne Côte d’Or
Selection of French Cheeses and Chutneys sharing platter
Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2011
If you have enjoyed these wines, you can buy them from http://www.bestofwines.co.uk/2018-march.pdf.
