On the eve of the Tory Party conference 60+ Commandeurs , their partners and guests braved the Autumnal showers to attend what has become an Annual event in the Commanderie de Bordeaux à Manchester calendar. We met at the Innside Hotel in central Manchester to taste a selection of Bordeaux wines from our cellars and to have a convivial supper.

An array of 14 wines had been selected by our ever resourceful Vinothecaire  (3 whites , 10 reds and a sweety!)  Of the whites all met the ‘drinkable’ test with probably the Chateau La Rame being the most popular although there were some favourable ‘learned’ comments on the Chateau d’Haurets.

Of the ten reds a clear winner was the Chateau du Tertre (Margaux A.C. 5eme Cru 2006) with a number of ‘also rans’. Favourable comments could be heard for the Lalande-de-Pomerol Chateau Sergant 2015 and the Chateau au Graves de la Laurence 2013 which proved more than worthy of its Bordeaux Superieur pedigree.

The Sauterne of the night was an old favourite, Chateau Raymond-Lafon 2008 which never disappoints.

One of the attractions of this event is the possibility for Commandeurs and partners to mingle with our guests and demonstrate the benefits of having access to wines that might otherwise not be available to the general public.

The supper that followed consisted of a tasty vegetable soup (served too hot for some palates!) followed by a fillet of roasted chicken with herby mash potatoes, roasted carrots and parsnip, with a wild mushroom sauce. The meal was concluded with and a cheeseboard of Le Maubert Brie and Highland Strathon Blue which beautifully complemented the Clos Manou 2012 A.O.C. Medoc. But  the star wine of the night was the Chateau Langou-Barton 2007 3ieme Cru Classe O.A.C. St Julien  which accompanied the first two courses. This wine had excellent fruit and demonstrated that the 2007 vintage has often been underrated.

An enjoyable evening was had by all who attended as is evidenced by the accompanying  photographs.

Regent John Appleby