WhenInManila.com was most fortunate to taste one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons in the world at The Fireplace restaurant of the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Casino Manila last Thursday, the 14th of August. I could hear the French saying “Oh là là” and the Australian’s saying “Hang on there mate!” and other great wine producing countries of the world protesting loudly at the words “One of the best!”
One of the best red wines in the world? From California? Are they qualified? Well, actually it was French wine testers of impeccable professional credentials that voted The 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon the best in a blind tasting up against first growth four top ranked Bordeaux wines including from Chateau Mouton-Rothschild and Chateau Haut-Brion!
We tasted 4 Stag’s Leap wines with an elegant and simple menu from the chef’s from the Fireplace.
Simply Great Food and Wine
The menu was simple yet delightful. The chefs deliberately created a menu using simple, yet quality ingredients that would work in unison with the fabulous wines from Stag’s Leap.
The Dill Marinated Salmon with Organic Micro Greens and Raspberry Vinaigrette perfectly matched with the Stag’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc 2011. Both were full of flavor, earthy yet elegant and had a lingering flavor that lasted long after being swallowed.
The Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Artemis 2011 was soft with summer berry flavors on the palate. It went very well with the Cappuccino of Porcini Soup with Shredded Duck. The soup was soft, light and creamy.
For me, the pièce de résistance was the magnificent The Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Fay 2010, where all the grapes come from their single vineyard. The Fay was a perfect match with our expertly grilled CAB Tenderloin with Fine Green Beans and Gratin Potatoes. The beef and wine were full of flavors, full-bodied and were perfect partners. The chefs did a fabulous job as all tenderloins at our table were succulent and cooked to a perfect medium-rare temperature. The Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Fay 2010 has well structured tannins and dark fruit flavors that drank well yesterday but can also be cellared for many years.
The multi-awarded Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V. 2010 lived up to it’s reputation (94 points – The Wine Advocate) and is a big, tannic, full-bodied red that really lingers on your palate.
Excellent Service to Match the Food and Wine
The food and service from the Fireplace at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Casino, Manila was first class. The Hyatt Hotel chain is well known for producing excellent quality staff and they did not disappoint. I was particularly impressed with their lengthy and in depth briefing on the food and wines, as well as the excellent way they cared for the Stag’s Leap wines.
The staff opened the wines to let them breathe 2 hours before the event. They then decanted them so they could breathe more (the extra oxygen around the wine promotes enhanced bouquet and flavors). They then double decanted them (poured the wines back into the bottles) so as to show the labels when pouring the wines for better presentation.
The Best Is An Often Loosely Used Word…..
Whether something is the best or not is a matter of personal opinion and budget. For me, the Stag’s Leap wines were outstanding. The Fireplace crew were also excellent. WhenInManila.com recommends them both!
Stag’s Leap Retail Prices:
Stag’s Leap Estate Sauvignon Blanc P1,540/btl
Stag’s Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon P3,060/btl
Stag’s Leap Fay Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum P12,060/btl
Stag’s Leap S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon P6,980/btl (currently out of stock)
Stag’s Leap Wines Are Available at all Wine Depot Branches:
– Reposo Makati – 217 Nicanor Garcia St Bel-Air Makati
– SM Aura, BGC – SM Aura Premier Lower Ground Floor Ms Kinley Parkway C5 Road cor 26th St Bonifacio Global City
– Greenhills -6 Missouri St North East Greenhills, San Juan City
– Alabang – Alabang Westgate Corporate Center, Commerce Ave cor Filinvest Ave, Alabang Muntinlupa City
The Fireplace
Hyatt Regency Hotel & Casino Manila
1588 Pedro Gill corner M.H. Del Pilar, Manila
Tel: +63 2 245 1234
Fax: +63 2 247 1234
Email: manila.casino@hyatt.com
Like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HyattRegencyHotelCasinoManila
