A good number of Commanders met at the Alderley Edge Hotel yet again for our Annual General Meeting. We were welcomed with a glass or two of the Wine Society’s 150th Anniversary Graves 2021 which went down very well with members and was enjoyed with the canapés which were circulated of chicken liver pâté, tomato bruschetta and prawn cups.
As we were called through for the business part of the evening, a glass of Castelnau NV champagne was awaiting us on our tables. Before proceeding to the formal business, the Maître asked us all to stand for a minute’s silence to remember the three Commanders who had passed away this year. All three, Peter Darroch, Don Hammond and Robert Watson, had been hugely influential in the Commanderie de Bordeaux à Manchester and they will be sadly missed. Following that sombre moment of reflection, the glass of champagne comfortably outlasted the AGM business which was dispatched with the customary efficiency.
Our starter of a smoked salmon and prawn timbale was accompanied by a 2018 Bordeaux Balance, Les Arums de Château Lagrange. Richard Martindale reminded those lucky enough to visit Bordeaux this year of their visit to this property. The consensus was that the wine accompanied the food excellently.
As always, but in no way detracting from the excellent white wines served earlier, the red wines were eagerly anticipated. The first, a 2012 Grand Cru Classé St Emilion from Château La-Gaffelière was a beautiful match for the slow cooked daube of beef. Although not considered to be a great vintage, this 2012 showed very well indeed and some thought it the better of the two reds enjoyed this evening.
The second red, the 2005 from Château Léoville-Barton accompanied a cheese plate resplendent with four British Cheeses. This wine from an outstanding vintage was a superb match for the four cheeses. As is customary at these gatherings, there was much debate about bottle variation when different bottles were broached.
The final course of the evening was an apple tarte tatin which was paired with a Sauternes from the outstanding 2001 vintage from Château Guiraud. As well as singing the praises of this wine, John Hodgkinson took the opportunity to provide the assembled company with an assessment of the Maître’s performance during his time in office to date. John finished off his comments by leaving us with the thought that the Sauternes had perhaps been the best wine of the night.
The Maître rounded off the evening with the customary toasts of The King and The Commanderie de Bordeaux before coffee and petit fours were served.