ÉvénementGrand conseil DU VIN DE BORDEAUX 
Commanderie, confrérie, BORDEAUX

Nicola McCloughlin - Echanson

We had a bumper turnout for this AGM and it was wonderful to catch up with old friends and welcome our most recent members. The newer members were amazed and delighted that the Maître was able to cover the extensive agenda in eight minutes!

We visited Château Angelus in 2016 and enjoyed a memorable Dinner there.

Our Maître, Colin Smith, had cemented the Manchester Commanderie’s relationship with Château Angelus and was instrumental in making the evening happen. We enjoyed no less than four wines from the Château and were very honoured that their PR manager UK joined us. Coline Marcenac gave us a fascinating history and importantly made time to speak to every table individually. It is rare for a top Château to be in private ownership and there is 240 years of wine making expertise in the Famille de Boüard. Hubert has now delivered his 40th vintage!

With the starter of chicken terrine, we enjoyed the Carillon d’Angelus 2018. This is a separate Cuvée, not a ‘second wine,’ and is made by the same team as Angelus. The Carillon has its own vines and its own identity. The blend is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc and it delivered to us dusty fruit and dark tannins at the front which gave way to a long finish.

For many of us the showstopper of the evening was the 2016 Angelus (60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc). This was the product of a long dry Summer which created a beautifully balanced, powerful and elegant vintage. This was served with a simple braised shoulder of lamb, smoked garlic mash, grilled hispi cabbage and red wine jus. This allowed the wine to shine. There was a wonderful nose and wine was simply stunning. It was a great privilege to enjoy a glorious wine of this calibre.

A cheese board brimming with Cricket St Thomas Camembert, Snowdonia Black Bomber, Sandham’s crumbly Lancashire, grapes, celery, fruit chutney, and biscuits was served with Angelus 2011 and 2014. The 2011 was delicious, displaying a good balance of fruit, fine tannins and a refined and elegant finish. The blend was 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Taken with food the 2014 (50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc) offered plums, blackberries and a dry and long finish. Of the two, the 2011 was felt by most to be superior.

After those delights, a light dessert was in order and Chef offered us a Strawberry Meringue with Elderflower and Lemon Balm Cream and Shortbread Crumb which was just the ticket. We enjoyed this with Château Doisy-Védrines 2ième Cru Classé A.O.C. Sauternes 2011. We had visited this Château in 2018. 2011 was one of the finest recent vintages in Sauternes. The wine was perfectly ready to drink and oozed honey and spice.

This was an evening to remember and members can reflect that membership of the Commanderie delivers some incredible opportunities to enjoy some of the finest wines that Bordeaux has to offer.