The Champagne Experience was scheduled for on our last day on board the RSS Splendor, and it was a tasting that I was looking forward to most of the cruise. As usual the tasting was conducted over lunch. This tasting is also an extra, cost me USD170, though, considering the Champagnes that we would be tasting, it was decent value.
Due to the number of people who wanted to attend the Champagne Experience it was moved from Pacific Rim to Compass Rose. Probably a better location for this sort of thing any way.
The Tasting
Time to get to work
First Course
Blinis Balik Salmon, Calamansi Jelly
Looks great. The Calamansi Jelly worked very well with the Veuve, made this dish pop.
Great start to the Lunch
NV Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut, Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay. Reims, Champagne, France
| Appearance: | Light pale straw, persistent tight bead |
| Nose: | Pleasant mix of brioche, apple and pear aromas |
| Palate: | Refreshing, balanced |
| Finish: | Medium length |
| Oz’s Rating: | 3 out of 5 No change since the Connoisseur’s Wine Lunch earlier in the cruise Nice looking glass… |
Second Course
Scallop Carpaccio, Caviar with Citrus Dressing
Great presentation. The scallops and caviar work well together and pair well with the Dom Pérignon.
Really enjoyed this dish, I found that without the fruit cubes it was more to my taste.
2013 Dom Pérignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne & Côtes des Blancs, Champagne, France
| Appearance: | Bright, lively pale straw with a very persistent tight bead |
| Nose: | Perfume nose of apricot, biscuit and almond aromas |
| Palate: | Refreshing, balanced |
| Finish: | Medium length |
| Oz’s Rating: | 3.5 out of 5 Worked well with Scallops |
Third Course
Shrimp Tempura, Dashi, Yuzu Mayo
More great presentation. Very tasty, enjoyed the tempura batter, it was light and airy, enhancing the prawn.
Another positive good pairing with the Ruinart
NV Ruinart Blanc de Blanc , Chardonnay. Reims, Champagne, France
| Appearance: | Light and bright straw, tight very persistent bead |
| Nose: | Enjoyable nose, slight bolder than the Dom, biscuit, a hint of tropical fruit |
| Palate: | Smooth, light |
| Finish: | Medium length, enjoyable |
| Oz’s Rating: | 3.5 out of 5 Always one of my favourite bubbles The Ruinart Glass was a nice touch. |
Fourth Course
Chilean Sea Bass, Roasted Rutabaga, Cassis Veal Jus
Looks great. Excellent sea bass, cooked perfectly. Not what I would have chosen for the pairing, but it works as the bass is a flavourful and not overly fishy fish….
NV Ruinart Rosé, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Reims, Champagne, France
| Appearance: | Bright light pink, tight bead |
| Nose: | Attractive nose of reserved berries and tropical fruit aromas |
| Palate: | Light, refreshing |
| Finish: | Medium length with an enjoyable sweet finish |
| Oz’s Rating: | 4 out of 5 Loved this! |
Fifth Course
Beef Filet Mignon, Seared Foie Gras, Parsnip Mousseline
Nice Preso. A good piece of meet. The foie gras was ok.
The pairing was fine, but not as good as the others. The Krug is a heavier rose than the Ruinart, and works better than any other would
Krug Rosé 27ème Édition, 57% Pinot Noir, which includes the 10% traditionally macerated Pinot Noir wines, 23% Chardonnay and 20% Meunier. Reims, Champagne, France
| Appearance: | Pale pink, very tight persistent bead |
| Nose: | Reserved perfume of cured ham, pepper and rose hip aromas. |
| Palate: | Balanced, delicate, moreish |
| Finish: | Medium to long, hint of residual sweetness |
| Oz’s Rating: | 4 out of 5 Amazing… |
Sixth Course
Lemon Meringue Tart
Looks awesome, very enjoyable combination
Was good with the Krug, better with the D’Yquem.
NV Krug Grand Cuvee Brut, Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Édition, 51% Pinot Noir, 38% Chardonnay and 11% Meunier. Reims, Champagne, France
A blend of 195 wines from 12 different years, with the youngest from 2014 and the oldest from 1998.
| Appearance: | Pale yellow straw, tight persistent bead |
| Nose: | Lovely nose of biscuit, hints of citrus aromas |
| Palate: | Fresh, fruity |
| Finish: | Medium length |
| Oz’s Rating: | 3.5 out of 5 Enjoyable |
Bonus Wine 1
We were very lucky yet again with generosity of another guest on board, the same person who generously shared two magnums of 2006 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, shared more from his cellar. This time some d’Yquem.
2006 Chateau d’Yquem, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Sauternes , France (750ml)
| Appearance: | Youthful bright amber |
| Nose: | Fragrant attractive nose of sun dried apricots, honey and marzipan aromas |
| Palate: | Smooth, structured , viscous |
| Finish: | Long very enjoyable finish |
| Oz’s Rating: | 4.5 out of 5 WoW… Still too young, what will it be in another 10 to 20 years? |
Bonus Wine 2
The same guest who shared the 2006 d’Yquem decided that it would be interesting to try the current release of d’Yquem alongside the 2006. He bought 6 bottles of the 375ml 2016 d’Yquem.
2016 Chateau d’Yquem, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Sauternes , France (375ml)
| Appearance: | Bright straw |
| Nose: | Pleasant nose of apricot, raisin and a hint of almond aromas |
| Palate: | Sweeter and less viscous than 2006 |
| Finish: | Medium to long length |
| Oz’s Rating: | 3 out of 5 Way to young, needs decades more time to evolve |
Champagne Experience
This was my first Regent Seven Seas Champagne Experience and it was great. A definite step up from the earlier Caymus and Wine Connoisseurs Lunch.
Excellent food complimented by some very good and amazing wines, especially the 2006 d’Yquem, the Krug and Ruinart Rosés.
The wine of the day for me was the 2006 d’Yquem.
Dinner
Dinner on our last night at sea was in Prime 7, so time for a big red with a great steak.
2010 Kilikanoon Oracle, Shiraz. Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia
| Appearance: | Deep crimson red, long legs |
| Nose: | An attractive nose of black pepper, cassis, vanilla and mocha aromas |
| Palate: | Savoury evolved tannins |
| Finish: | Long finish |
| Oz’s Rating: | 4 out of 5 A great wine to finish off a great day and the cruise. |
Next up Lisbon and disembarkation..
Cheers!
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