Lalande-De-Pomerol 2000
We had heard rumours of course when we were still fruit on the vines, how once we were wine, some of us would experience exceptional adventures & travel to far off lands. It was all just fanciful gossip though, we were sure of it.
During our time of rest in the great oak barrels, the stories escalated from whispers to loud accounts, told of dreadful & horrifying events from the old blends mixing with us. Stories of awful endings & treatment, but some of us remained fast & dismissed them. I was one such wine.
How is it possible, we argued, to be grown amongst the most renowned vines on earth & yet end up being consumed by wine heathens or worse, by people who knew nothing of the intricacies that make our Bordeaux wines exemplary.
I was young yes, but I knew who I was, a magnificent blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc & 10% Malbec, influenced greatly by the world-famous Michel Rolland, & proud of it.
A new century had dawned & the year 2000 was my time & my vintage, & in my new bottle I took my rightful place amongst my fellows. Some around me feared they would be bought & consumed immediately; such a waste, as we needed at least a decade to mature & others worried they would be treated ruthlessly & die; their bottles turning into coffins.
I refused to give into fear & had faith I would rest in a cellar under ideal conditions befitting a fine wine connoisseur! How could my supurb & unique ruby garnet colours & plum pudding & cinnamon spice aromas not be allowed to develop into riches befitting my intentions? Given time I knew I was destined to become a ripe, lush palate of savoury from the merlot grapes with black cherry & damson & dark chocolatie earth notes. No, it was unthinkable, some others may be fatalistic, but not I.
Imagine my horror when the day arrived & young Messieurs Kris & Mark, two young men with dreadful accents walked us outside the cellar door. Each of these young men now owned a bottle from the magnificent soils from this Appellation, an ideal mix of clay, stones and sand from the western part close to the river. My fate seemed sealed as their only mode of transport were mere bicycles. I would be lucky to last until supper with these two, it seemed my adventure had begun & despite my strong faith, the outlook looked grim.
There was little hope as my reluctant adventure on 2 wheels unfolded, bringing us through parts of France I’d not heard of. We travelled through Southern France with me firmly strapped on Monsieur Kris’s bike, but should he crash, we would surely both die.
This is me, dressed for impact in the year of my vintage 2000, I expected to die here, wrapped in this cocoon. Tightly strapped on that bike & where I stayed as I sensed those last few weeks of my beloved homeland roll by; expecting at any moment my end.
Oh what an adventure we had though! Along the way I learned that these young men were visitors to my homeland to savour our heritage & flavours, to ride the great trails of Mt Ventoux just like the Tour de France riders, as they had dreamt of doing through their school years.
I had been chosen as a memento of this great adventure, at least now I knew my fate & was encouraged to learn my owner was none other than a chef, having trained in traditional French cuisines. I begun to have hope. Perhaps, if I lived to tell the story, my life would be an adventure worthy of the legends we’d heard as grapes afterall.
If I thought my adventures on the bike were shocking, it got worse as I went on to experience many more modes of transport. Rail, Sea & Air, through & across country after country, hearing many foreign languages before I was to reach my new homeland of Australia.
Always wrapped tightly in my travel cocoon, my temperatures never varied dangerously & as the weeks & months opened up, I learned that Monsieur Kris intended to make me his No. 1 wine. I was to be there with him at his finest hour, his proudest moment, the most celebrated occasion of his young life. But until that time arrived, I needed to sleep & grow & he, in his own way also needed to mature & grow.
I liked this young man, I liked his sense of adventure. I made up my mind, he was noble & good & I would do my best work while I slumbered a good decade away for him.
I lived precariously for years with Monsieur Kris, always there on the sidelines through many a loud gathering, where all my colleagues rested in racks along side me were opened. But not I, never me. I was always in good view of the passing parade of his bikes, was it just me or were those 2 wheel monsters becoming grander? I must have been asleep when our bike left us, I should have said good bye, as we had some fine memories that old fellow & I, did we not?
I had been moved many, many times throughout my time of rest, but the movement was careful, hardly enough to disturb my slumber. It is true I never did get to rest in that fine cellar, my lofty ambitions were dashed I know, but for all that, I slept well & comfortable throughout, as my welfare was always considered. I knew I was loved, I knew I was No. 1, so I napped & waited & watched.
Then one day, quite unexpectedly I was gently picked up & without ceremony or many around us, I was opened. Just like that! It didn’t hurt & my cork came away clean with hardly a stain. My best side was placed & photographed & then without ceremony put back in the dark for 24 hours for me to breath. My time had arrived.
The next day I was gently re-corked & moved for the last time to the centre stage of my final hour. All around us our family stood looking on & the cameras again were flashing. I stood proud & tall beside my new decanter, & was thrilled to see no expense had been spared. No short cuts were taken as Monsieur Kris gently poured me through a Vinturi Filter & Aerator as I fell to the bottom of that magnificent crystal decanter, tumbling & swirling onto the mounted centre ridge designed to aerate even more. I was giddy with anticipation & drunk with excitement. This was indeed all I was born for.
Looking out through the window of crystal, I saw all around me for the first time faces of people who I’d come to call ‘our family’. Cameras continued to flash as the decanter started to tip & I started the ride of my life as I was poured into fine glasses.
Everything was perfect. ’So far so good‘ I kept telling myself, just a little drunk with airy excitement.
I heard someone toast ‘Happy Engagement Kris & Megs‘, & I looked around to see for the first time Monsieur Kris’s fiance.
Oh she was a pretty one! This was indeed our proudest moment!
Then more glasses were poured & out of the crowd I heard an old familiar voice, & out stepped our friend Monsieur Mark. We three were together again, there could be no more fitting end to my journey surely?
And the verdict I hear you ask? Did I achieve all I was born to be?
Perhaps the answer is yes, perhaps I could have rested a few more years; though it was all there was it not Messieurs Kris & Mark? The savoury Merlot fruit were there & the black rich cherry & deep dark purple colours of the damson were present?
I thought my dark chocolate could have benefited with more time, but the magnificent earth notes of my homeland were strong & proud as I closed my eyes & slipped away.
Have you ever kept something for a special occasion?
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38 Comments and Pings on THE ADVENTURES OF A BOTTLE FROM CHATEAU LA MISSION
Gorgeous wine it was, too! <3
Yes, it was wasn’t it Laur
A very fitting occasion to open it too 
This is so great to finally read, it feels like im reliving the last 10 years over again. I am blown away that the wine was actually still good after the plane trip home and the multiple house moves over the years. Hopefully the wine is a sign of my future…..
Yep, the wine sure is a great sign of your future Nizz
Its was good to finally taste it after seeing it sit there for so long too. A beautiful drop 
Oooo I loved reading this! So fun!
I can see you really anticipated it and savoured it.
Jen recently posted..landmark kitchen
Much anticipation for this one Jen but even better to finally know how it tasted, we’ve all often wondered over the years whether it’d be OK, so it was awesome to finally get that taste
I really enjoyed reading your fantastic post! This wine sounds truly special. My husband and I are hosting a wine tasting event this weekend when we will open some of our special reserve wines, can’t wait!
5 Star Foodie recently posted..5 Star Foodie Junior- Blondie Bars with Almond Paste Chunks- Chocolate Chips- and Dried Plums
Oh have heaps of fun with that Natasha
It’s so fantastic to finally get to taste those special wines & see how they fared during their cellaring time. Can’t wait to read all about your wine tasting 
Our wine was lovely but for all that, we felt it could have spent even more time resting, we think it probably was a real keeper (but, you never know till you taste huh) 
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this!
Cindy Taylor recently posted..IF ALEXA CAME TO DINNER- PART ONE
Thanks Cindy, it was fun to finally crack the bottle & have a taste
Anna, what a fun and cute post to wake up to. I’d have to say, I got a bit jealous of that wine. Having been able to travel through France and so many other places. Not a rushed travel either compared to plane or train. Although I’ll bet Kris was traveling quite fast. You guys sure know how to treat wine right with all the re-corking and aerating and all. I must admit, I know nothing about wine though, but it sure sounds like you guys did everything right. What a perfect occasion to open such a wonderful bottle of wine.
I have some canned abalone that my parents bought from Australia for us and I’m waiting for a special occasion to cook those. As a chef, I’m sure you know how highly looked upon abalone is in Chinese cuisine. Although honestly, I think it’s a bit overrated. Haha.
LeQuan recently posted..Because Moms Love to Bake
Thanks LeQuan. We wanted to do a post on wine & the aerating & decanting but didn’t want to write a boring snobby old wine post & then it occurred to us that this old wine had had a life, it was fun to get those old photos of Kris out & use them. Wow LeQuan, I didn’t know that you could buy canned abalone, I sure hope they live up to expectation. I’ve had fresh abalone a few times & the absolute best way was when we were all camping & a few of the more adventurous guys went abalone diving (it was when I was in Yr 12) so back then I had no idea of the delicacy I was eating or the difficulties the divers go through getting them. And they (literally) smashed the abalone, really pounded them between rocks & then put them in a egg & breadcrumb batter & fried them quickly….. they were amazing! I’d never tasted anything as wonderful. I remember asking for more & the guys just laughed at me (I was mortified, thinking the thought me a little piglet) and told me I was lucky to get 2. Years later as a Chef I knew what a delicacy they were. Aaaahhh, memories of school adventures huh
I think that bottle of wine has had a more adventurous life than I have! I’ve kept a bottle of champagne for months waiting for a cause for celebration, but this wine sounds far more interesting.
lisaiscooking recently posted..Lemon-Strawberry Cake with Lemon Buttercream
Yes, the wine was pretty interesting Lisa & I think it had a fabulously adventurous life too
Hope your champagne finds a reason to pop its cork soon too 
Anna, this is such a beautiful story. And such a fitting way for a special bottle of wine to be opened. (and I’m glad to see you also have a Vinturi, I love mine!!) Congratulations again to your brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law. You have a lovely family. x
Vinturi’s are ‘the bomb’ aren’t they Loll
I swear they tart up an average bottle of wine with a good aerating don’t you? And thanks lovely, we all kind of miss that bottle of wine now its gone, its been hanging around in the house for so long, it almost became a fixture 
Now you dear girl, had fun writing that didn’t you. Awesome post.
“This is me, dressed for impact”…
…”as I closed my eyes and slipped away”
Perfect. XX
ps…not to take away from Monsieur Wine, but the beer was delicious too.
cityhippyfarmgirl recently posted..Pasta Frittata- Frugal Friday
Aaaahhh, so pleased to hear you enjoyed to beer Brydie
And, yes – we had fun putting this post together, giggled our way through the writing of it, such fun 
So great that the wine held up! We have a few bottles of really good wine that are just waiting to be opened for a special occasion…
Susan recently posted..Chicken and Haloumi
Yes, we were all pleased too Susan – imagine if it had of got the big thumbs down huh
Fabulous post Anna, I really enjoyed reading this! I’m so glad that it turned out well and a great occasion to drink it on too!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..Raw Chocolate Brownies with Chocolate Avocado Frosting
Why thank you Lorraine, glad you enjoyed it, it was fun to write, when I was reading it out to Kris, I even got all choked up.
It went down a treat and was perfect, everything Kris & Mark hoped for.
Oh yes. In fact, we still have a few that Scott brought home from the South of France about 10 years ago now. I’m guessing it’s about time to open them and enjoy the fruits of our wait. Loved your story Anna! What a fun way to share a bottle of wine!
Yep, I’d imagine a nice little rest of a decade would enrich those wines. I hope they’re everything you wished for in them too Julie – & thank you, glad you enjoyed the story of our bottle
Cute story Anna! That decanter is pretty awesome too. I have some 1998 reds in the rack that probably need to be tasted, I just need the occasion!
InTolerantChef recently posted..Kedgeree
I’ll bring the aerator & sieve, you throw on a little do & we’re good to go Bec
Its fun to do a little wine collecting isn’t it 
I’m not a wine drinker so I can’t really say that I’ve kept things for a special occasion…but the owners of Chateau Montelegna wine (sp?) in Napa gave me an entire case as a wedding gift 10 years ago. I still have it! For what I don’t know!
Ameena recently posted..i wish you well…
Well., I hope its not a case of whites as sometimes they don’t do well with time., but reds are OK with a little rest of a decade or two usually. And uuhhhmmm…. there’s always regifting my friend
Gorgeous bottle of wine. Love the post.
Ellie (Almost Bourdain) recently posted..Ginger Scallion Beef 姜葱牛肉
Thanks Ellie
The wine was awesome too 
I’m so glad the night lived up to the drink – or the other way around, maybe! It’s so wonderful to spend time with friends like this, isn’t it
Hannah recently posted..Chocolate Coconut Hazelnut Butter Exclamation Mark
Absa-freek’n-lutely my friend. Love a good party, specially ones like this
WOW! that looks like an amazing trip!
thatssoron recently posted..Pray For Japan
Thanks Ron, glad you enjoyed it
Gorgeous!! What a fun, well written story. It really felt like the bottle went on a true adventure, strapped to the back of a bike & all!! and was enjoyed at the perfect moment! Congratulations
Heidi xo
Heidi – Apples Under My Bed recently posted..Wholemeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Awwhh, thanks Heidi
We enjoyed putting the story together – it seemed only fitting to give the wine pride of place in the story as I know I wouldn’t want to be strapped on the back of my bro’s bike careening down mountains…. that boy knows no fear! Glad you enjoyed its journey 
What a lovely post Anna and such a fun to have and share the wine on a special day
Ananda Rajashekar recently posted..Way Back into Love! – Vodka Pasta
Oh it was Ananda
A very special day & a lovely bottle to celebrate with too 
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