Hermitage Wine’s inaugural “The Fruits of the Vine” , was a wine event like no other, surprising and entertaining almost 100 guests on Thursday 29th November 2007.
Les Fruits De La Vigne, held in the premier, private main dining room of The Tower Club, Singapore provided guests with a journey of senses - surrounded by the striking artwork of surprise guest artist, Dr. Rajinder Singh, each guest was served 18 tasting glasses of rare and unique wines paired for contrast and comparison by the expertise of Mr. James Halliday (guest host on the evening), and Mr. Robert Joseph.
Vintage Wine highlights included:
The Chateau Doisy Daëne, 1953 from Sauterne/Bordeaux, France. Followed by the stand out, Yering Station, Reserve Chardonnay, 2002, Yarra Valley, Australia paired with the Domaine Leflaive, Pugliny Montrachet, 2003, Burgundy France.
The Rubicon Estate, Rubicon 2003, from Napa Valley, USA paired with the Parker Estate, First Growth 1998, Coonawarra, Australia and Château Leoville-Las Cases, 1985 from St. Julien/Bordeaux, France.
While the O.Fournier, Alfa Crux, 2002 from Medoza, Argentina and Marques de Murrieta, Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva 1998, Rioja, Spain surprisingly, delighted guests by outshining the Vega Sicilia – Unico Blend (1985/1988/1990), Ribera del Duero, Spain.
Guests attending this event were able to indulge in this ambitious wine menu, whilst listening to Mr. Halliday and featured guest wine makers, Darren Rathbone – Technical Director, The Rathbone Wine Group and Jose Manuel Ortega, President of O.Fournier Wines discuss and debate both their own wines featured and the compelling pairings. There was even reminiscing to be shared between Iain Riggs - Chief Winemaker and Managing Director of Brokenwood Wines and James Halliday, over the Brokenwood, Graveyard Shiraz, 1998, from the Hunter Valley, Australia, the mythical “La Chapelle” from Jaboulet and their adventures together at the Brokenwood vineyard.
This indulgent night would not have been complete without St. Pierre Restaurant’s Chef Emmanuel Stroobant and his exciting degustation menu. 8 courses were enjoyed with highlights including the Lobster Bavarois with Atlantic Crab Salad and Avocado Mousse, and the 24-hour roasted Wagyu Beef with extract of Black Olive, Almond and Coffee – all serve with great efficiency by The Tower Club management and staff in the face of an extremely unique and one of kind, program.
The night was sent off with a grand note of charity, with Dr. Rajinder Singh auctioning one of his award winning masterpieces to a Les Fruits De La Vigne guest, raising SGD$7,000 for the M’Lap Tapang New Day Centre in Cambodia. A resounding finale shared by all, with Portuguese, Dow’s Vintage Port, 1977 as the evening wrapped up in the early hours!
An Event like no other…
(Pictures will follow!)
