'Over The Moon' at Taberna Wine Academy (20 July 2015)

In the Annals of the Australian Table, I believe that history was made last night - the 20^th July 2015.

First, the event was held in a newly opened Wine Academy in Singapore, and not at our usual ‘home’ at The Tanglin Club. This was not too unusual, but the next point is.

Secondly, Mr Tan Ying Hsien very generously invited us to his Academy and not only donated all the wines, but also all the food, which was expertly orchestrated and cooked by none other than Emmanuel Stroobant, who needs no introduction in Singapore.

I will stand corrected, but in all my years on the table, I do not believe that we have had an event where one member completely sponsored all the food, wine and the venue for the whole night – not to mention that that same member not only had the clean the premises after us, but he himself had to wash up all the glasses.

The last departure from the norm was that there was no voting and no ‘Wine of the Night’.

Ying carefully chose the wines and arranged for three interesting flights to test us. All were served blinded.

First we had 4 chardonnays from 1998. Then we were deligted with 2 older cabernets from 1985 – bought from the UK when Ying was studying there.

The last flight were 4 shirazes from 1998. All wonderful wines.

We were already 'Over The Moon' with the invitation before the event. After such a great night, we were 'Over The Moon and Beyond..............".

Menu for night:

Aperitif:

NV Sparkling, Methode Traditionelle, Midnight Cuvee, Pyrenees, Blue Pyrenees Estate

Hand Dive King Scallop Tartare, Australian black winter truffle, lemon zest, wild chives, cream fraiche

1998 Chardonnay, Hunter Valley, Lake's Folly

1998 Chardonnay, Reserve Bin 98A, Penfolds

1998 Chardonnay, Bin 144 Yattarna, Penfolds

1998 Chardonnay, Vat 47, Hunter Valley, Tyrell's

Egg “bio” confit, white onion puree, thyme foam, salted butter brioche “soldier”, ikura

Wild Mushroom crusted Gindara Cod, crispy chicken skin, organic zucchini, ratte puree, truffle jus

1985 Cabernet Merlot, Margaret River, Cape Mentelle

1985 Cabernet, Hunter Valley, Lake's Folly

“Black Pig” belly Kakuni, caramelised baby peppers, piperade, shiraz reduction

1998 Shiraz, The Armagh, Clare Valley, Jim Barry

1998 Langi Shiraz, Grampians, Mount Langi Ghiran

1998 Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Oliver's Taranga Vineyards

1998 Bin 95 Grange, Penfolds

Assortment of cheese (probably Brillat-Savarin, Saint-Felicien and Comte)

1975 Porphyry, Bin 5182 Semillon, Lindemans Classic, Hunter Valley, Lindemans

Hand Dive King Scallop Tartare, Australian black winter truffle, lemon zest, wild chives, cream fraiche

Egg “bio” confit, white onion puree, thyme foam, salted butter brioche “soldier”, ikura

Wild Mushroom crusted Gindara Cod, crispy chicken skin, organic zucchini, ratte puree, truffle jus

“Black Pig” belly Kakuni, caramelised baby peppers, piperade, shiraz reduction

The 30th Anniversary Dinner (15th June 2015)

A belated advice on the results for Table 2 from the 30 Year Table;

As served:

#1. 1997 Penfolds Grange Shiraz, brought by David B.; 2+1 = 3 points

#2. 1998 Henschke Hill of Grace, brought by Lewis; 3+3+2 = 8 points

#3 1998 Greenock Creek Roennfeldt Road Shiraz, brought by Jen; 3+3+2+1 = 9 points

#4 1998 Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet, brought by Ganesh; 2+2 = 4 points

#5 2001 Clarendon Hills Blewitt Springs Grenache, brought by Martin; 1+1 = 2 points

#6 2003 Torbreck Run Rig Shiraz, brought by Martin; 3 points

#7 2006 Penfolds RWT Shiraz, brought by Axel; 1 point

So the “winning” order on our table was:

1998 Greenock Creek Roennfeldt Road Shiraz

1998 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz

1998 Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet

Thank you Jen, Ganesh, Axel, Martin & Lewis for great wines.

Mike, would you please advise the results of Table 1 when you get the chance.

Cheers

DAB

On Monday, the 15^th June 2015 we celebrated the 30^th Anniversary of the inception of the Australian Table which was first held at the Raffles Hotel, but of late has been held regularly at The Tanglin Club. 

We were fortunate to have the founding Chairman, Mr Gerry Essery to attend the event as our Guest of Honor. Also present was long time Chairman Mr Roger Prior who came from Australia, and Mr Keith Newington who flew in from Hong Kong.

In Attendance were 12 of us:

Axel Chan

David Boxall

Ganesh Viswanath

Gerry Essery

Graham Hayward

Jen Shek Wei

Keith Newington

Lewis Mitchell

Martin Gomez

Michael Hadley

Roger Prior

Toh Hsien Min

Apologies: Tan Ying Hsien, Adam, Peter Vaughan, Masood Mohajer, Chris Wigan

     List  of wines:               

                 Table 1:

Graham Roger Gerry Mike Hsien Min Keith	2003 Penfolds Grange 1997 Penley Estate Coonawarra Cabernet 1952 Pokolbin Dry Red Hunter Valley 1998 Ausvetia South Australian Shiraz 1998 Best’s Great Western Shiraz 1998 Penfolds Bin 707 1998 Best’s Bin O Shiraz
TABLE 2
David Boxall Axel Ganesh Shek Wei Lewis Martin	1997 Penfolds Grange 2006 Penfolds RWT Shiraz 1998 Wynns  John Riddoch Cabernet 1998 Greenock Creek Roennfeldt Road 1998 Hill of Grace Shiraz 2001 Clarendon Hills Astralis & 2003 Torbreck Run Rig