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| Chef Daniel adding final touches to the starter |
IWFS President's Dinner 2015
December 12th 2015
Hmm… not much else to say that hasn't been said about previous President Dinner's. Sixty-five turned out in best bib, tucker and frock, the Sage food was its usual outstanding standard of taste and preparation (well done again to Chef Daniel and staff), the wines were delightful and well matched with the food, with the usual exquisite service so that everyone had a jolly old time of things and we raised RM193,000 at the Charity Wine auction for the charities. Grateful thanks and props to everyone who donated food vouchers and wines for the cause and equal thanks and props to everyone who bid way above the market price to take the babies home. Charities being supported this year are Society for the Severely Mentally Handicapped Selangor and Federal Territory (SSMH) and the Special Children's Society of Ampang (SCSA).
They have websites at
http://www.ssmh.org.my/
https://www.facebook.com/
http://www.scsoa.org.my/
https://www.facebook.com/
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| Buckwheat Noodle with Shima Aji, Wasabi Aioli and Nori |
I didn't really enjoy this one. The Charity Wine auction has become a bit of a monster, with (had it not been for some judicious action by Yin-How in creating a silent auction for the food vouchers and the lesser value wines) what would have been over fifty lots to knock out. Noble and heartwarming as it is, the auction does seem to suck out quite a bit of the jollity from the evening - no chance to really go around the tables and say hello to friends because without a speedy auction we would be there to midnight. Indeed I missed many that should have had at least a quick hello - bad manners on my part. Also, all the frantic last minute faffing about to ensure that all was in order with both the wines and the seating meant one was not really able to relax. It was good that speeches and explanations were not overlong but it still felt a bit draining toward the end. Those remaining to clear up after the dinner sucked up the remaining booze and got jiggy with some seriously raucous rock singing - me on Fat Bottomed Girls followed by Doc Kiwi with Born To Be Wild. Yes.
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| Pate en Croute of Muscovy Duck Breast with Foie Gras and Madeira Wine Sauce |
Standouts on the evening - the Chateau Fieuzal 2011 Blanc surprised nicely on the upside. I had memories of an oily character at a previous tasting but tonight was well on song. Also enjoyed the 2008 Ch Ducru-Beaucaillou and the Bouchard Burg. I sucked a lot of the crisp honey Rieussec at the auction lectern mainly because that was the only booze in sight and I needed the throat to be well oiled for the auction. Seemed to work. My lamb was brilliantly rare and a wonderfully tender delight with the jus. Can't remember much else except that it was all pretty excellent. Sorry. Too busy to pay much attention to the food.
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| Lamb - Slow Cooked Hillside Lamb Rack with Basil Pistou Sauce |
Think I will take a break next year - would like to actually enjoy the food and wine and staying sat next to a hugely elegant and glamorous Lenglui rather than getting up and down and standing up for three quarters of the night organising seating and flogging the booze. Must be getting old...
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| The ever elegant and graceful Lenglui |
THE VENUE
Sage Restaurant 6th Floor, The Gardens, Mid Valley City
THE MENU
Canapés
Glazed Unagi with Daikon Sea Scallop with Tarako Sauce
Bollinger Brut Reserve Champagne NV
First Course
Buckwheat Noodle with Shima Aji, Wasabi Aioli and Nori
Chateau Fieuzal Blanc 2011
Second Course
Pate en Croute of Muscovy Duck Breast with Foie Gras and Madeira Wine Sauce
Bouchard Pere et Fils Clos de la Mousse, Beaune 2005
Palate Cleanser
Calpis Granité
Main Course
Fish - Confit of Ikejime Tiger Grouper with Green Lips Abalone and Shiokombu Butter SauceAlternatively
Lamb - Slow Cooked Hillside Lamb Rack with Basil Pistou Sauce
Alternatively
Beef - Grain Fed Beef Striploin with Noisette Shiromiso Sauce
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 2008
Dessert
Baked Fuji Apple Tartlet with Honey Cinnamon Ice Cream Coffee or Tea
2010 Ch Rieussec Sauternes
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| Baked Fuji Apple Tartlet with Honey Cinnamon Ice Cream |
THE WINES
Bollinger Brut Reserve Champagne NV
Still the breakfast of champions, and still championed by the ageless 007 as the fizz of choice when chasing baddies or seducing others. This wine is brilliantly crisp, has a fine bead and a long finish which has toasty hints. We enjoyed Bolly last year and as was written then "lovers of the masculine full bodied wine have known for decades that this non-vintage has crystalline elegance. Depth is balanced by a weighty mid palate and a biscuity, long finish." A classic of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay"Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier, since 1829.
Chateau Fieuzal Blanc 2011
This elegant Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend (50/50) is from a great year for the Graves and specifically the southern Bordeaux appellation of Pessac-Leognan .The mouth filling blend is aged in 50% new French barrels, resulting in a layered expression of the terroir which makes both the reds and whites of this chateau renowned. Vanilla, floral, lemon peel and grapefruit create the aromatics. The fruity yet zesty blend is best at 3- 7 years (Vin de Figaro). so we should enjoy the terroir and tradition of this 90 pointer (Wine Spectator).
Bouchard Pere et Fils Clos de la Mousse, Beaune 2005
The largest estate in Burgundy produces some classic wines driven by structure, rather than dollops of fruit, and in this wine we will see the reasons why we have an IWFS cellar. Some may cry infanticide as the fruit, tannins and acidity are in place, with aging potential, yet the line and dark savoury elements will reward those who are able to be patient, with the glass at hand. The Clos opens up in a wine which is now stratospherically priced, as it tells the story of increasingly renowned Burgundy. A decade makes a difference with the finicky Queen of wine, especially Pinot Noir from this highly renowned vintage (Wine Spectator 91 points).
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 2008
The contrast with the previous wine will be very evident in this bold, weighty Saint Julien. Dark and brooding fruit is supported in a classic structure and cepage. For those who like Robert Parker’s favourites here is such a wine, so we quote him describing an underrated vintage in which this Chateau excelled. “One of the stars of the vintage, and a remarkable achievement in 2008, with impressive richness, this dense purple colored wine is almost as opaque as the 2010. Spring flowers, crushed rocks, creme de cassis and some subtle oak are followed by a full-bodied, concentrated wine that transcends the vintage character in its
power, richness, and aging potential. It also exhibits tremendous precision, purity, and depth of character." Reviewed by Robert Parker The Wine Advocate - 95pts.
Ch Rieussec Sauternes 2010
We said last year that many of us won't be around when this wine will be drinking at its best. Last year proved that this exemplary wine was drinking so nicely that we decided to repeat the lingering finish and delight of this young example. Chateau Rieussec is 90% Semillon 7% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle. Harvests are done in passes and could last for as long as 6 to 8 weeks. “ in bottle it has become a contender for the finest Sauternes of the vintage. It is blessed with a pure and lifted bouquet with ripe peach, nectarine and honey, hints of shaved ginger poke their head above the surface with aeration. It is very subtle This is a sophisticated Sauternes with superb minerality and outstanding persistency. I will confess that I pinned this as “Yquem” and was both shocked and pleased when its identity was revealed.” (Wine Advocate 96/100).
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| Alex and Lenglui |
SILENT AUCTION LOTS AND DONORS
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| Lenglui with Dr George and San San |
LOT 1 – 1 RUYI AND LYN DINING VOUCHER RM300
(Donated by Ruyi and Lynn)
LOT 2 - 1 NOBLE HOUSE DINING VOUCHER RM300
(Donated by Noble House)
LOT 3 – 1 NEROTECA DINING VOUCHER RM300
(Donated by Neroteca)
LOT 4 – 2 BOTTEGA MEDITERRANEA DINING VOUCHER RM300
(Donated by Bottega Mediterranea)
LOT 5 - 1 WAGYU TOMAHAWK STEAK FOR 4 PERSONS
(Donated by Chinoz)
LOT 6 – 1 BUSABA DINING VOUCHER RM500
(Donated by Busaba)
LOT 7 - 1 STOKED DINING VOUCHER RM500
(Donated by Vintry)
LOT 7 – 1 KAMPACHI DINING VOUCHER RM700
(Donated by Kampachi)
LOT 8 – 4 SAGE DINING VOUCHER RM120
(Donated by Sage)
LOT 9 - 1 HOTEL VOUCHER FOR BREAKFAST AND DINNER FOR 2 PAX
(Donated by Grand Seasons Hotel)
LOT 9A - 1 GINZA SUSHIMASA DINING VOUCHER FOR 2 PAX RM1600
(Donated by Ginza Sushimasa)
LOT 10 - 1 SHINAS ESTATE EXECUTIONER SHIRAZ 2009, 1 SHIRAZ ESTATE GUILTY SHIRAZ 2010
(Donated by Dionysus)
LOT 11 – 1 ANTICA FRATTA FRANCIACORTA (1.5L)
(Donated by Tong Woh Enterprise)
LOT 12 - 1 BILLECART SALMON ROSE NV
(Donated by A li Yaa)
LOT 13 - 1 MARQUES DE MURIERTA CASTILLO YGAY GRAN RESERVA RIOJA 2005
(Donated by Asia Euro)
LOT 14 - 1 PALLISER ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2013, 1 HAHN MONTEREY COUNTY PINOT NOIR 2014, INDOMINTA GRAN RESERVA PINOT NOIR 2014
(Donated by IWFS Member)
LOT 15 - 1 ARRAS GRAND VINTAGE SPARKLING WINE 2003
(Donated by Cave and Cellar)
LOT 16 - 1 GRAHAM’S VINTAGE PORT 1997
(Donated by Cave and Cellar)
LOT 17 - 1 NIKKA TAKESURU 17 YEARS SINGLE MALT
(Donated by IWFS Member)
LIVE AUCTION LIST AND DONORS
(All donated by members of the IWFS KL)
LOT 1 – 1 EILEEN HARDY SHIRAZ 2001, 1 WOLF BLASS GREY LABEL SHIRAZ 2010
LOT 2 - 1 CLOS DU MARQUIS 2004 (1.5L)
LOT 3 – 1 BOLLINGER R.D. 2002
LOT 4 – 1 ANTINORI TENUTA DI BISERNO BISERNO 2010
LOT 5 - 1 ALTER EGO PALMER 2012 (1.5L), 1 LA CROIX BEAUCAILLOU 2011 (1.5L)
LOT 6 - 1 CHATEAU COS D’ESTOURNEL 2011, 1 CHATEAU LYNCH BAGES 2011
LOT 7 - 2 CHATEAU BEAUCASTEL CHATEAUNEUF DU
PAPE 1998, 2 CASANOVA DI NERI TENUTA NUOVA
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2006
LOT 8 – 1 LES FORTS DE LATOUR 2006 (1.5L)
Lot 9 - 1 HENSCHKE HILL OF GRACE 1997
LOT 10 - 1 CHATEAU HAUT BRION 2008
LOT 11 - 1 CHATEAU LYNCH BAGES 1989
Lot 12 – 1 PENFOLDS GRANGE 1980
LOT 13 - 1 CHATEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 1993
LOT 14 - 1 CHATEAU MARGAUX 1996
LOT 15 - 2 CHATEAU LEOVILLE LAS CASES 2004, 2 CHATEAU COS D’ESTOURNEL
LOT 16 - 1 MACALLAN 25 YEARS ANNIVERSARY MALT
LOT 17 - 1 CHATEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 1981
LOT 18 - 1 CHATEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 1990
LOT 19 – 1 RUFFINO RISERVA DUCALE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2008 (1.5L)
LOT 20 – 1 LOUIS ROEDERER CRISTAL 2005
LOT 21 - 1 CHATEAU PALMER 1996
LOT 22 – 1 TENUTA ARNULFO BAROLO 2008 (3L)
Lot 23 - 1 CHATEAU PICHON LONGUEVILLE COMTESSE DE LALANDE 1985
LOT 24- 1 CHATEAU PALMER 1985
LOT 25 - 2 CHATEAU d’YQUEM 1997 (375ml)
LOT 26 - 1 DOMAINE COMTE LAFON CHAMPANS 1ER CRU VOLNAY 2011, 1 DOMAINE COMTE LAFON SANTENOTS DU MILIEU 2ER CRU VOLNAY 2011, 1 DOMAINE COMTE LAFON CHARMES 1ER CRU MEURSAULT 2011
LOT 27 - 1 CHATEAU MARGAUX 1993
LOT 28 - 1 CHATEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 1994
LOT 29 - 1 CHATEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 1998
LOT 30 - 2 CHATEAU PONTET CANET 2005
LOT 31 - PENFOLDS GRANGE 1990
LOT 32 - 1 CHATEAU LATOUR 1997
LOT 33 - 1 CHATEAU HAUT BRION 1985
LOT 34 - 1 PENFOLDS GRANGE 2008 (1.5L)
LOT 35 - 1 CHATEAU LATOUR 1996
LOT 36 - 1 CHATEAU PETRUS 1997
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