The presentation for a select group of wine journalists was held onboard the classic canal boat M.S. Kleijn Amsterdam and departed from the quay in front of the Dylan Hotel in Amsterdam. The first offering was the magnificent Blancs de Blancs Clos Mireille 2009 from a vineyard where the Sémillion and Rolle literally have their toes in the Mediterranean. The vineyard is the size of Monaco - but only consists of 12 houses rather than 25,000. Obviously, this is a wine that combines with fish and seafood; the dish served by Dennis Kuipers, the chef from the Vinkeles restaurant in the Dylan Hotel of Zoutkamp shrimp bouillon with skate and fennel followed by a zingy creation of crayfish and potato, peas and marinated lemon was a remarkable foil to the wine with the characteristic delicate, creamy oak tones that Ott strive for.
Two Coeur de Grains rosés were next up; the Côtes de Provence 2010 from Chateau de Selle and a Bandol 2010 from Château Romassan, both recently bottled. Other producers bottle in January, but Ott develop more complexity by maturing the wine in large barrels until April. The Bandol stole the show; an outstanding wine made from Mourvèdre (50%), Cinsault (35%) and the rest Grenache. Round and fruity with a silky yet complex structure, ending with strong juicy notes with a hint of spice. The chef had matched this with a deconstructed Salade Niçoise.
The last Ott was another Château Romassan; this time a deep red version ( Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah) from 2006. This had mixed reactions and all attention was on the cassoulet from veal kidneys, asparagus and mustard - light, tasty and to the point.
Ott is hot - news to the British guest in the Provence who recognised the amphora bottle and asked the waiter if it was Ott - only to be informed "No sir, we serve our wine cold"!
www.domaines-ott.com
www.classicboatdinners.nl
www.fourcroy.nl
www.dylanamsterdam.com
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| The patented amphora bottle originates from 1925 |
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| Deconstructed Salade Nicoise from Dennis Kuipers |
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| Christophe Renard - sales manager from Ott |
