Dourthe Barrel Select - Saint Emilion

Bought a bottle of Dourthe Barrel Select - St Emilion from NTUC Fairprice a few weeks back. Read from several wine critics that 2005 was a good year for Bordeaux wines so decided to open today and try it.

Colour was quite dark. Initially, the tanning was rather strong and it was also a little dry. I drank the wine over two hours. Towards the end, the wine became smoother and less dry. Quite a good wine actually. But I feel it this wine could be cellared for at least another few years as suggested on their label.



I would give it 6/10 intially, with 6.5/10 towards the end. I feel it would be at least a 7/10 if cellared for another few more years.

This is what I read on the bottle :

"Dourthe is one of Bordeaux's leading producers with a world renowned reputation for producing fine quality wines, be it for their brands or their own estates.

Dourthe's winemaker selected this wine from only the vineyards with the finest terriors and potential. This strict selection and one year's ageing in new oak barrels explain the incomparable elegance and finess of this St-Emilion.

Dourthe Barrel Select St-Emilion is a luscious, rich wine with delicious, elegant notes of red fruits and spices. On the palate, it is silky smooth, full of finess and beautifully balanced with an excellent structure.

This wine is ideal with meat dishes, cheese, and makes a perfect barbeque partner. It can be drunk now and over the next 3 to 5 years.

Varietals : 30% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, 70% Merlot

For further information, you can visit http://www.dourthe.com/

Astons Express

Had lunch with Jit Leong and Adam last wednesday at this coffee shop along Farleigh Ave (near Serangoon Garden Circus). Luckily managed to find parking as there aren't that many lots available.

We were there previously for the chicken rice, which was also good (maybe will write about that the next time). During that time, we saw people having western food, but I couldn't see the stall. Thought they ordered from the another coffeeshop which was just opposite.

Then after scanning the stalls again, managed to see the signboard. There was so much clutter infront of their stall that I had missed it initially. Astons Express is not your usual coffeeshop or market western grill stall. Their quality is much better, and so is their price, which is still reasonable.



The guy (forgot to ask for his name) was also friendly. Giving recommendations and answering our queries (as they had many different cuts of steak). Finally, Jit Leong decided on the New York strip ($13.90), which was a bigger portion than the sirloin ($11.90) he originally wanted.

I wanted the New York strip but the guy recommended the Ribeye X-Cut ($14.90), which he said was more marbled. Marbled? Ok lor. Give it a try.

You get 2 side dish to go with your steak too. You can choose from baked potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, onion rings, veggies, corn cob.

Waiting time was shorter (abt 10-15mins) than what he had informed us (20 mins). The steaks turned out really well.

Jit Leong had his medium done. Requested for coleslaw and baked potatoes. Later, he said that luckily got the baked potatoes, if not probably won't be full. Think the guy mentioned that the New York strip was 250g, compared to the sirloin which was only 180g.



Mine was done medium rare. Requested for onion rings and veggies. Both steak turned out really nicely done. With a hint of satay and black pepper seasoning. There was also some mushroom sauce to go with the steak. Would have been perfect if we had some wine to go with the steak. But since it's lunch and we had to go back to work, probably next time.




Astons Express also serves pasta (seafood, bolognaise, marina) which comes with soup of the day. And also the usual chicken, pork chops, sausages, etc. May try their other grills some other time.

Chateau Cordet 1998

Just wanted to introduce to all of you good food and wine.

Had the Ch. Cordet 1998 with dinner. I cannot review the wine like Robert Parker Jr, with all those colourful and fruity descriptions.



As you can see from the glass, the Ch. Cordet is really full bodied, as it is from the Margaux region. Not too dry. Good with ribs.

7/10.

Enjoy !!