Dinner With Private Cellar

A dinner and tasting with Private Cellar's Nicola Arcedeckne-Butler

For a dinner at work, I gave Private Cellar a menu and a budget, then asked them to suggest some wines.

Not only were all the wines amazing, they even brought their buyer, Nicola Arcedeckne-Butler, along to provide a masterclass.

On arrival

Hattingley Valley Classic Cuvée 2010 a genuine Champagne alternative, rather than a wine for patriots. Nicola was impressed by one attendee spotting a high level of dosage (10 g/l) to counteract the high acidity.

With starter - scallops

Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese, JJ Prüm 2009 a stunning Mosel Riesling drinking beautifully now; racy, off-dry, rich and concentrated with some aged character. The popular favourite.

With main - Angus beef fillet, red wine jus

Gran Reserva 904, La Rioja Alta 2005 an incredibly long and concentrated Rioja, but amazingly still too young and grippy. Technically my top wine of the evening, but needs another decade in bottle

With dessert - Almond & orange polenta cake, Roasted plums, Crème fraiche

Château Rayne Vigneau Sauternes 2007 deft, rich, botrytised sticky with roasted peach and orange peel flavours

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