After Chef of the Year lunches, and AGM lunch and a mixed lunch, this week we were back to ‘normal’ with a lunch prepared by David Madson assisted by James Tinslay.

Canapés. There were three canapés provided to the some 40 people who attended this lunch. Firstly, salmon on top of black bread rounds followed by a creamy blue cheese topped with roasted pecans and honey on a dried apricot base. Finally, there was a tortilla rolled up with hot Spanish salami and cream cheese. The first two had a good combination of textures whilst the tortilla needed some defining textures.

Aperitif wine. The aperitif wine of the day was the McWilliams Anne Semillon 2006. This was a definite step up from the Elizabeth with brilliantly clear acid and some length but it lacked the complexity of the more aristocratic Lovedale. Still, an excellent start to a wine tasting lunch.

Main course. David Madson had promised us pork belly which was a variation of a recipe attributed to the chef at the Fatty Crab restaurant in Los Angeles. In fact, it was a little more than that because it was a pork belly and watermelon salad with the salad component using ingredients such as rice wine vinegar, Thai chilli, kaffir lime leaves, ginger and palm sugar. The combination of the sweetness of the pork belly and watermelon provided a real alternative lunch for members and guests. Being a wine lunch the dish managed to avoid any major conflict with the wines and attracted complimentary comments.

The wines. In the absence of the Winemaster our wine presenter of the day was James Healey. With no masked wines, James went through each of the cabernets from the three vintages with a summary of some background and attributes.

• Woodlands Margaret Cabernet 2008 (cork, 13.5%)
• Lindemans Pyrus 2008 (screwcap, 14%)
• Chateau Lanessan 2005 (cork, 13%)
• Houghton’s Gladstones Cabernet 2005 (cork, 14%)
• Vasse Felix Cabernet 2001 (cork, 14%)
• Grant Burge Shadrach Cabernet 2001 (cork, 13.5%)

This was a very good selection of cabernets in anyone’s language. Being a wine tasting, the wines did have time to breathe in the glass and some of the initial views were later reversed or swapped. The wines most liked were the Lindemans, the Vasse Felix and the Grant Burge. Interestingly, many expected the Burge wine to be extracted given its origin but it was surprisingly elegant and naturally, full-bodied. The Chateau Lanessan was a little tannic, typical of the 2005 vintage, but also lacked fruit. The Woodlands Margaret is their premium winery red and was a little disappointing with its too sweet fruit.

Cheese and coffee. The cheese served by James Healey was Agour Petite Brebis Pimento from the Basque region in South-West France. Apparently, the people of Basque Country insist their brebis cheeses have remained true to the traditional style for over 4000 years. It is a semi-hard sheep milk cheese that has a natural rind which is covered with pimento in the later stages of production. The cheese is full with complex flavours on the palate.

David provided dried fruits and nuts to accompany the cheese.

Spencer in absentia served Paraiso Perdido beans from Peru. His notes suggest the coffee may be paradise lost! It was however a pleasant brew with some sweetness.

All in all an excellent wine luncheon.