ely Classic Wine Bar – Love at First Glass
Every so often we come across some wines that exemplify both the tradition and heritage of a region while also highlighting modern wine making. These wines might be second label wines that benefit from their older siblings’ pedigree and reflect the prestige of the Chateau or Domaine. And while they usually represent value compared to their siblings they are often still quite expensive.
The good news is that ely has source two great wines that can be found on restaurant lists for €89 and €125 respectively but will be on special offer for September at €49 and €59 in both ely wine bar and ely bar & brasserie. Better still both wines are available by the glass.
Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon Mâcon ‘Milly Lamartine’ Burgundy, France 2014
Dominique Lafon, arguably one of the greatest white winemakers in the world, saw the potential in Mâcon before most of his Cote d’Or contemporaries, and established this estate back in 1999. He brought with him his years of expertise, finely honed crafting the finest Meursault money can buy. That knowledge, talent and attention to detail shines through in this wine, as perfect an expression of Burgundy as you could hope for. The nose is fresh and stony, with lemon citrus fruit.
On the palate it is wonderfully taut- unusually so for a Mâcon – reflecting Dominique’s preference for precision and minerality at the core of his wines. There is no new oak; this wine is matured in large foudres, so the oak influence is very much in the background, revealing itself on the finish as a delicate toast and hint of spice. Balanced, harmonious and complex, the 2014 Mâcon Milly Lamartine is an outstanding example of fine white Burgundy.
€49 or €12.25
La Reserve de Leoville Barton, St. Julien, Bordeaux, France 2011
The second wine of one of the most revered Chateaux in Bordeaux if not all of France. Coming on the back of two of the most highly prized – and priced – vintages of recent times, the 2011’s tended to slip under the radar a little, to all of our good fortune. It’s got the classic Saint Julien nose of blackcurrant, cassis, cedar and tobacco, with all these aromas bursting from the glass. The fruit is just as intense on the palate, all wrapped up in subtle toasty oak. The wine is finely textured and velvety smooth, concentrated in flavour but with elegance and finesse you would associate with this legendary Chateau.
It will rekindle your love of Bordeaux on the first glass.
€59 or €14.75 glass
Make the most of September and drop into ely restaurant in Dublin 2 for some truly great wine.