Course One:
Wine Pairing: Gérard Tremblay Petit Chablis
Chablis, Burgundy, France
Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol: 12%
Vintage: 2023
Appearance:
Pale lemon with silvery-green highlights, bright and crystalline in the glass. The clarity and sheen suggest a youthful, energetic wine.
Nose:
Delicate yet precise, opening with aromas of green apple, lemon zest, and white flowers. Subtle notes of wet stone, chalk, and crushed seashell reveal its classic Chablis minerality. Hints of fresh herbs and a touch of flinty reduction add depth and authenticity to the bouquet.
Palate:
Light to medium-bodied with a crisp, linear structure and vibrant acidity. Flavors of citrus, pear, and green apple dominate, supported by a saline, mineral-driven backbone that reflects the limestone-rich soils of the region. The texture is sleek and mouthwatering, with no oak influence, allowing purity and terroir to shine.
Finish:
Clean, focused, and refreshing, leaving impressions of lemon peel, chalk, and sea breeze. The finish is long and taut, emphasizing Chablis’ hallmark precision and balance — a quintessential expression of cool-climate Chardonnay from Burgundy.
Course Two:
Wine Pairing: Clos Alkio Garnatxa Negra
Terra Alta, Catalonia, Spain
Grape Variety: 100% Garnacha (Garnatxa Negra)
Alcohol: 15%
Vintage: 2021
Appearance:
Deep ruby with a vibrant purple rim, showing excellent clarity and a youthful intensity in the glass. The saturation of color reflects ripe Mediterranean fruit and concentration typical of Garnatxa from Terra Alta.
Nose:
Expressive and inviting, with aromas of ripe red cherry, raspberry, and plum compote. Subtle notes of dried herbs, lavender, and warm spice add complexity. A touch of crushed stone and sun-baked earth grounds the fruit, while hints of licorice and cocoa linger in the background.
Palate:
Medium to full-bodied with plush red fruit flavors framed by gentle acidity and smooth, velvety tannins. Ripe strawberry, cherry, and red currant mingle with notes of thyme, black pepper, and a whisper of minerality. Oak aging adds finesse, lending a soft texture and delicate hints of vanilla and toasted spice without masking the fruit purity.
Finish:
Long and graceful, with lingering red fruit, spice, and a touch of Mediterranean garrigue. The finish highlights the balance between richness and freshness, capturing the sunny elegance of Terra Alta Garnacha.
Course Four:
Wine Pairing: La Matinière Crozes-Hermitage
Crozes-Hermitage, Northern Rhône, France
Grape Variety: 100% Syrah
Alcohol: 12.5%
Vintage: 2020
Appearance:
Deep ruby with violet reflections, showing youthful intensity and a brilliant sheen at the rim. The color density reflects Syrah’s natural richness and concentration, while the clarity suggests careful winemaking and minimal filtration.
Nose:
Expressive and perfumed, revealing layers of ripe blackberry, black cherry, and plum, followed by notes of cracked pepper, violet, and a hint of smoked meat. Subtle undertones of olive tapenade, graphite, and earth emerge with air, characteristic of Crozes-Hermitage’s granitic and alluvial soils.
Palate:
Medium-bodied with refined tannins and a lively freshness that balances the ripe fruit. Flavors of dark berries, pepper, and savory herbs intertwine with a touch of licorice and mineral spice. The texture is supple yet structured, capturing the elegance and energy of northern Rhône Syrah without heaviness.
Finish:
Long and harmonious, with lingering notes of black fruit, spice, and a gentle mineral tension. The finish showcases both the purity of fruit and the subtle rusticity that define Crozes-Hermitage — approachable now, but with the finesse to evolve gracefully over the next few years.
Course Five:
Wine Pairing: Quintela Tawny Porto
Douro Valley, Portugal
Grape Varieties: Traditional Portuguese varieties (Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão)
Alcohol: 19.5%
Aging: Aged in oak casks for an average of 7 years
Appearance:
Deep amber-tawny with a copper rim and orange glints, clear and luminous in the glass. The gradation of color toward the edge reveals extended barrel aging and gentle oxidation characteristic of classic tawny styles.
Nose:
Inviting and complex, with aromas of dried fig, toasted walnut, caramelized orange peel, and toffee. Hints of vanilla, baking spice, and subtle wood smoke add warmth and depth, showcasing the wine’s oxidative development and barrel character.
Palate:
Medium-bodied and silky, with a balance of sweetness and lively acidity. Flavors of roasted nuts, dried apricot, and golden raisin mingle with notes of butterscotch and sweet spice. The texture is smooth and velvety, carrying the richness of aged fruit without cloying weight.
Finish:
Elegant and persistent, leaving impressions of candied fruit, almond, and gentle oak spice. The finish is warming and harmonious, perfectly capturing the mellow sophistication of a well-aged tawny — ideal as a contemplative after-dinner wine or alongside roasted nuts and caramel desserts.