Ch. Ausone: the Vauthier Vision
Our 2023 events line-up started with a bang at one of London’s most exciting and newest culinary establishments, Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal.
On a typically British February evening, our guests gathered at Hotel Café Royal for a Champagne reception and exceptional five-course meal celebrating one of Bordeaux’s most respected estates, Ch. Ausone.
Each course was expertly designed to complement the nine remarkable Saint-Emilion vintages we tasted throughout the night.
The magical evening began with an exploration of the Vauthier family’s other wines in Saint-Emilion: Chx Haut-Simard, de Fonbel, Moulin Saint-Georges, La Clotte and Chapelle d’Ausone. These wines were the perfect introduction to the Vauthiers’ style of Bordeaux – wines of extraordinary precision and finesse.
We then moved on to the main event – a vertical of Ch. Ausone stretching from 2003 to 2018, exploring the beauty of this property and how its style has developed under the Vauthiers.
Edouard Vauthier – son of proprietor Alain Vauthier and brother to winemaker Pauline Vauthier – joined us to share the property’s fascinating history, guiding us through its distinct terroir and how they work in the vineyard and winery.
This wonderful evening and comprehensive tasting provided the ultimate insight into this very special property – and was the perfect introduction to 12 months’ worth of wonderful gatherings with excellent food, wine and conversation.
Full line-up:
Champagne Henri Giraud, MV10
2016 Ch. Haut-Simard, Saint-Emilion
2015 Ch. Moulin Saint-Georges, Saint-Emilion
2015 Ch. la Clotte, Saint-Emilion
2016, 2011 Chapelle d’Ausone, Saint-Emilion
2018, 2017, 2016, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003 Ch. Ausone, Saint-Emilion
Le Pin from the beginning, with Jacques Thienpont
The second event of the year, held at Claridge’s L’Epicerie, was a magnificent celebration of one of the most famous names in wine, Le Pin.
With a mere 600 to 700 cases produced annually – a truly minuscule quantity that is dwarfed in comparison to fellow top estates of Pomerol and Saint-Emilion – few people ever get to taste these wines. Those fortunate enough to do so almost certainly wouldn’t have tasted the vintages on show back-to-back in February.
Over the course of the evening, guests were treated to 15 incredible wines – three from acclaimed vigneron Jacques Thienpont’s special Saint-Emilion operation L'If and 12 spellbinding wines from the iconic Pomerol estate, concluding with the 1990, 1983 and first-ever Le Pin vintage, 1979.
Thienpont and Diana Berrouet Garcia (MD of Domaines Jacques Thienpont) joined us for the evening, sharing remarkable stories about one of the world’s most renowned and mythical producers. During this truly immersive experience, we were able to gain unprecedented insight into the style, philosophy and history of the incredible estate that produces one of the world’s rarest and most in-demand wines for collectors.
Such was the quality of the wines on show that the world-class food served by the expert L’Epicerie team was almost reduced to a footnote. Seven exquisite dishes were prepared in Claridges’ iconic kitchens – each one designed to complement the remarkable wines that filled our guests’ glasses. Truly exceptional.
Full line-up:
2015, 2013, 2012 L’If, Saint-Emilion
2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2001, 2000, 1991, 1990, 1983,1979 Le Pin, Pomerol
Schrader Exploration with Jason Smith MS
One of Napa’s cult names, Schrader Cellars, was the focus of our third event of the year. During an intimate dinner at Michelin-starred Muse by Tom Aikens in Belgravia, London, guests were treated to a vertical of the greatest-ever vintages (2005-2019) of Schrader’s top cuvée, Old Sparky, which all received perfect scores. These 100-point wines – all from magnum – were expertly paired by one of the UK’s most talented chefs.
Esteemed Master Sommelier Jason Smith expertly guided us through Schrader’s best vineyards and terroirs before enthralling us with tales of six vintages that have become some of the estate’s most coveted and rarest wines.
While tasting these exceptional vintages at the gorgeous two-storey Belgravia townhouse, Aikens hand-served and enthralled guests with the seven courses he had prepared for the evening.
This was an exploration of one of the world’s most decorated and mythical wines which showcased Napa Cabernet at its very best.
Full line-up:
Champagne Henri Giraud, Fût de Chêne MV10 (in magnum)
2019 Robert Mondavi, To Kalon Vineyard Fumé Blanc Reserve
2019, 2018, 2013, 2012, 2007, 2005 Schrader Cellars, Old Sparky, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon
The Pernots of Puligny
In April, two young Puligny-Montrachet visionaries, Alvina Pernot and Philippe Abadie, took centre stage at hallowed London culinary establishment, The Connaught.
During a remarkable five-course meal, prepared by Hélène Darroze’s three-Michelin-star team to complement the 23 wines on show, guests enjoyed a mini vertical tasting of La Rue aux Vaches, followed by a selection of Premiers and Grands Crus from Alvina’s grandfather’s estate Domaine Paul Pernot and her own eponymous fledgling property.
Following a tasting flight (2021-2018) of Alvina Pernot’s Rue aux Vaches vineyard – bottled exclusively in magnum – guests were then served five mini verticals of Domaine Paul Pernot’s Folatières, and Grand Crus Bienvenues-Bâtard and Bâtard-Montrachet from the family’s cool cellars in Puligny.
The supremely talented husband-and-wife winemaking duo joined us on the night to offer insight into these special vineyards and wines, and the contrasting styles of the two properties. It was a true exploration of Pernot, a key and treasured partner for FINE+RARE, across many of their greatest wines.
Full line-up:
2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 Puligny-Montrachet, La Rue aux Vaches, Alvina Pernot (in magnum)
2020 Bâtard-Montrachet, Grand Cru, Alvina Pernot
2020 Puligny-Montrachet, Premier Cru, Clos des Folatières, Alvina Pernot
2018 Puligny-Montrachet, Premier Cru, Les Folatières, Alvina Pernot (in magnum)
2017, 2016, 2012, 2009 Puligny-Montrachet, Premier Cru, Clos des Folatières, Domaine Paul Pernot
2006, 2001, 1999, 1996 Puligny-Montrachet, Premier Cru, Folatières, Domaine Paul Pernot
2017, 2013, 2011, 1996 Bienvenue-Bâtard-Montrachet, Grand Cru, Domaine Paul Pernot
2017, 2010, 1999, 1988 Bâtard-Montrachet, Grand Cru, Domaine Paul Pernot
Ch. Lafite Rothschild through the ages
A landmark event of the year, Ch. Lafite Rothschild through the ages was the first experience we held in UK held outside London. Waddesdon Manor in Aylesbury was the natural choice for the occasion because of its iconic grandeur – and connection with the Rothschild family.
Following a Champagne reception in Waddesdon Manor’s private gardens on a balmy summer evening, guests sat down to an enviable six-course dinner accompanied by an incredible flight of ex-château back vintages of Ch. Lafite Rothschild, from 1960 to 2010, and two beautifully mature magnums from Lafite’s sibling estate, Ch. Duhart-Milon.
Domaines Barons de Rothschild International Director Jean-Sébastien Philippe joined us for this remarkable journey exploring one of Bordeaux’s most renowned First Growth châteaux before we retreated to the charming, characterful Five Arrows Hotel located a stone’s throw from Waddesdon Manor.
Full line-up:
2019 Ch. Rieussec
2010, 2005, 1990, 1982, 1960 Ch. Lafite Rothschild
1990, 1976 Ch. Duhart-Milon (in magnum)
Exploring Ch. d’Yquem and Ch. Cheval Blanc
In June, we held our first event that included a magnificent overnight stay outside the UK in the historic wine-producing region of Bordeaux. Over the course of two wonderful days, guests walked among the vines and cellars of two iconic estates – Ch. d'Yquem and Cheval Blanc. Two of the region’s most respected winemakers, Pierre Lurton and Pierre-Olivier de Clouet, joined us as we explored these highly coveted estates through private vineyard and cellar tours, incredible culinary experiences at both properties and superlative flights of ex-château vintages.
Following a lunch and tasting at Ch. d’Yquem – including magical vintages dating back to 1939 – and a 14-flight Cheval Blanc dinner, guests settled into the breathtakingly beautiful five-star Château Hôtel Grand Barrail for the night, located a short distance from the neighbouring medieval town of Saint-Emilion and some of the world’s most coveted fine wine producers.
The wines, company and setting were truly magnificent and we all walked away from the experience with a greater appreciation for the two wine estates.
Full line-up:
2016 "Y" de Ch. d'Yquem
2020, 2009, 2005, 1990, 1961, 1959, 1939 Ch. d’Yquem
2020 Le Petit Cheval Blanc
2020 Le Petit Cheval
2015, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2000, 1998, 1990, 1982, 1966, 1964, 1961 and 1939 Ch. Cheval Blanc
Ch. Belle-Brise: discovering the walled garden of Pomerol
Our penultimate event of 2023 was a first for our experiences programme – a dinner in the United States hosted by our US arm, Vinfolio.
In November, an intimate group of guests gathered at three-Michelin-star SingleThread in Healdsburg (Sonoma County, California), to celebrate FINE+RARE favourite Ch. Belle-Brise.
Over the course of the evening, the small group were fortunate enough to taste a 23-vintage flight of Belle-Brise dating all the way back to the first commercial release in 1993. All those in attendance were gifted the rare opportunity to unravel the golden thread that connects each vintage from this special Pomerol estate. As Scott Turnbull MS – Vinfolio Director of Private Clients – explains in his Editorial piece about the night, elegance and finesse were the common themes at one of the largest Ch. Belle-Brise retrospective tastings ever held.
Host for the evening, Turnbull, shared stories from the estate’s short but mighty history, including the château’s ability to overcome adversity in its first few commercially released vintages to produce what is, for many, a desert-island wine. Special thanks to the supremely talented SingleThread team for preparing an exquisite kaiseki-influenced Japanese menu that gave the little-known, yet much-loved Pomerol property an incredible stage to demonstrate its silken and opulent wine’s almost weightless power.
Full line-up:
Champagne Robert Moncuit, Les Grands Blancs, Blanc de Blancs
2002-2020, 2000, 1999, 1995, 1994 and 1993 Ch. Belle-Brise, Pomerol
1982 Bas Armagnac, La Fontaine de Coincy (45%)
Two decades of Roumier’s Bonnes-Mares with William Kelley
Our 2023 events calendar drew to a close in spectacular fashion with a superlative showcase of 20 vintages of one of the most legendary bottlings on the fine wine landscape, Domaine Georges Roumier’s Bonnes-Mares.
An international group of collectors and wine enthusiasts from the Czech Republic, Mallorca, Geneva, San Francisco, London and Burgundy (in the form of the evening’s compère, acclaimed Burgundy authority Wine Advocate’s William Kelley) gathered on an autumnal night at London’s prestigious Connaught Hotel for an exploration like no other.
Following a Champagne reception, five incredible courses prepared by Hélène Darroze’s expert culinary team were served. Each one was designed to complement the stunning wines from two remarkable decades (2000)-2020) in the estate’s history. Throughout the evening, Kelley provided fascinating insight on each flight and vintage, bringing the wines to life for all those present.
It was a truly memorable occasion, gathering to taste a flight of wines we are unlikely to have the opportunity to encounter again any time soon.
Full line-up:
Champagne Henri Giraud, MV10
2000-2020 Bonnes Mares, Domaine Georges Roumier
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