Wedding Anniversary tomorrow. I have got some Beef Wellington and was wondering what wine I should open with it.

In mind I have

Riscal Reserva '01 (This was the year we were married. Its probably just right to open now but was hoping to save it for next year)
Chateaux Reynella Shiraz 06
Rockbare Shiraz '06 or '07
Rockbare Barrosa Babe Shiraz '04
Various Bordeaux '03 - '08
Various Rhone '05 -'08

If you think the Rhone or Bordeaux are worth exploring then I will go and have a look at what I've got.

Cheers

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tribs

The Reynella- is that the 'basket pressed'? I like this wine, I remember it being syrupy and a bit of a fruit bomb, not to everyones taste.

Beef Welly? mushrooms, pastry, fillet.... you cant go far wrong with any on your list, a good Rhone may just edge it for me, or the Reynella if Im the only one drinking red.

Wildcard- A decent Zinfandel.

Obv, the 2001 being the year of your wedding is a nice touch but personally I'd reach for one of the bordeaux offerings.

That said, it's more a case of what you guys like.
Yes, there are so called ideal food and wine pairings but its down to what the consumer likes.

The Riscal 2001 might be coming to a point where its better to be consumed sooner rather than later and for your 10yr Anni, I'd guess you'd look to push the boat out a litte more than this (assuming that's what you meant about keeping it another year)

Each to their own mate, am sure most if not all of them will work nicely, just make sure some of the Aussies aren't powerhouses that'll overpower the wellington

If you're heding to Maj any time soon (today or tomorrow:D) and would like to get a bottle from the year of your nuptials, they have a couple of reasonably priced 2001 Medoc cru B's on offer right now that I've got my eye on:

Chateau Griviere 2001 (8.99 from 11.99) & Chateau Rammafort 2001 (8.99 from 11.99)

whatever you go for, enjoy!
Happy Anniversay mate :thumbup:

Thanks guys.

Yes, the Reynella is the 'basket pressed' one. Not tried it before.

One of the Bordeaux is Ramafort on the '03.

I can't get to maj in time so it'll have to be something I've got in or from Tesco, Asda or Morrisons.

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tribs

I've also got Katnook Founders Block Cab.

The Rhone's are

Visan '05
Guigal '05
Belleruche '07
Jaboulet Parallel 45 '07
and Bosquets de la dame '08

The Bordeaux

Ramafort '03
Tour le Bigorre '05
Fontana '08
and the white M&S Margaux '06.

I also have a Parisot PN on '05 but that probably won't go.

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tribs

was gonna ask whether you had any PN on offer

Should definately work with the Wellington too

But this would just be complicating matters

Hold onto the Reynella for a bit longer.

I'd do the Riscal.

Mmm, I can almost taste it.

Congratulations to you and Mrs Tribs.

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mel

Thanks Mel

I think the Riscal is favourite right now. I know Mrs Tribs likes it so its a safe bet as long as its still good. I read somewhere that its best drunk from 2010 so its probably a good time.

I need to call at Tesco so I will see if I can spot something as a backup. I'll see if there is any of that Chablis too.

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tribs

The only interesting thing I could find was Chateau de Lussac St Emilion 2001

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tribs

A quick search and it would appear our very own pontac has tried this in 2006.

Cellartracker

87 pts. 4 years on. now £14. What do you think?

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tribs

I would not give Chateau de Lussac 17½ points from past vintages, and I didn't think the '06 vintage at ordinary St. Emilion level had much lift to the fruit in other properties at this price. Our good friend Pontac clearly thought it good'ish at 87 though.

Unfortunately, you dont have enough time. I have listed two clarets at Majestic recently. The ‘02 St Emilion Grand Cru was £9 and worthy of 16¾ maybe.

Anniversary Dinner: Does the wine have to be a 2001 vintage ?

For your Beef Wellington, Despite being a 2001, and not being a kill joy - If I said that I think that the Marquis de Riscal reserva was too finely grained with sweet tannins and too fragrant for the beef Wellington, would I be upsetting the blackberry & raspberry cart ? I'd say that Riscal will not be firm or dry enough for this dish with a powerful mushroom sauce / filling.
I’d want something with more backbone, a food claret would be typical, but you have to take proper care of your Misses of course.

How about your ’05 Claret, or the younger '06 merlot dominated Marg from M&S. Is that too much tannic palate for your dear Misses ? Or even the quite dry and firm Guigal ’05 CdR as per GK.

Tribs, this is my two cents – Happy Anniversary to you and your Misses

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Duncan

But, there'll be sweet mushroom stuffing. Mmm

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mel

Go with Mel , if you make the mushroom stuffing that way.

Add the mushrooms and garlic
Cook the finely chopped mushrooms until soft but not completely done. Add the onions and garlic and cook for about another five minutes or until done. Finally, sprinkle the herbs over and stir in well. Transfer the mixture to a bowl or tray to cool.

Keep the pastry in the fridge until you need it and make sure the mushrooms and onions are quite cool before you spread them.

Prepare the pastry
Sprinkle some flour on a clean, dry surface on which to place the pastry.

Finish stuffing mix
Combine the minced chicken and the breadcrumbs with the mushrooms, onions and herbs, (in a blender, preferably), and then spread the mixture evenly on the pastry leaving a 10cm border of pastry clear.

pasted from the web, U'ave That '03 super ripe merlot dominated Medoc Ramafort as a compromise , and needs drinking. even petite chat Pauliacs on the '03 are loosing some grip. I'll sell you one for £14 (smile)

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Duncan

You make some very good points regarding the Riscal, Dunc.

The filling is as Mel describes but I too have my reservations that the Riscal will go as well as a claret. Having said that most of it will be drunk after dinner so maybe it ain't much of an issue.

I am still intrigued by the Lussac. It was the 2001 that Pontac tasted in 2006 and gave 87 but that was a while ago. What do you know of that vintage? Is it likely to be past it now?

Majestic is a 50 mile round trip. It is near my office so I'm nearby most days but I am not in the office until tomorrow and I am meeting the wife for lunch so there is no time. I do aim to pick up some of the St. Estephe you recommended next time I drop in if they have any.

M&S is an option too. Something like this, maybe.

Saint Julien

Its 2001 too . Although that's not that important.

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tribs

I'm in the Dunc camp in that I wouldn't have thought the Riscal would be the first choice
Think the bordeaux or PN would have been my first visit

You've good a decent list to begin with Tribs, I wouldn't bother going and buying more in for tonights Celebration

This is a ggood thread tho. My b'day on Monday so was thinking about ggoing out for it on Saturday, but I would quite enjoy a night in having a decent bottle at a non inflated price
Mrs Shez tho likes the idea of going out tho, so think the restaurant option is gonna be more likely