RSJ's 30th anniversary: 1980-2010

2010 was a very special year for us as the RSJ Restaurant celebrated its 30th year. We held a number of special events through the year to mark our 30th birthday.

36th Year: 1980-2016

Another milestone with events happening during our 36th anniversary year.




Monday, November 22, 2010

RSJ Christmas Wine Offer 2010

The following wines are a special selection from the extensive RSJ Wine list and are offered at a discounted rate until the end of the year. We have already put together a number of ‘mixed cases’ but please feel free to mix your own cases if you prefer. Stock up now to beat the VAT rise in January


To order:  tel 020-7928 4554         e-mail tom.king@rsj.uk.com

A Box for Christmas Day  £ 55.00 
 
1 Bottle     Crémant de Loire Brut, Domaine de Nerleux              
Delicious dry sparkling wine made in the traditional method from Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay.

2 Bottles     2009 Touraine Sauvignon, Domaine du Clos Roussely
Stunning Sauvignon from a wonderful recent discovery, Vincent Roussely.

2 Bottles     2009  Chinon, Domaine de la Perrière
Lovely ripe and fruity with an excellent balance and flavour.

1 Bottle    Taylors First Estate Port
Ripe well structured port from this famous house.


The Prestige case [6 bottles]             £90.00
(A stunning collection of our Vignerons top wines)

1 Bottle   2003 Le L’d’Or Muscadet, Vieilles Vignes Pierre Luneau

1 Bottle     2008  ‘Petit Prince’ Chenin Blanc Christophe Daviau

1 Bottle    2008 Bourgueil ‘ Racines’  Frédéric Mabileau

1 Bottle    2007 ‘Evanescence’Anjou Villages  Yves Guegniard


1 Bottle    2007 Chinon, Coteau de Noire, Philippe Alliet


1 bottle  2007 Coteaux du Layon ‘Les Rouannières’ [50cl] Claude Papin



12 Bottles for the Festive Season  £ 125.00

2 Bottles  2009 Sancerre ‘Les Pierris’   Domaine Champault

2 Bottles  2009 Château de la Roulerie, Chenin Sec Philippe Germain

1 Bottle   2008 Anjou Villages Vincent Ogereau

2 Bottles   2009 Chinon, Domaine de la Perrière Baudry-Dutour   
                    
2 Bottles   2009 St Nicolas de Bourgueil ‘ Les Rouillères’, Frédéric Mabileau

1 Bottle   Crémant de Loire Brut Domaine de Nerleux

1 Bottle   2007 Coteaux du Layon ‘Clos de la Soucherie,  Claude Papin

1 Bottle   Taylors LBV 2004 Port


Champagne & Sparkling Wine
                                                                                    Discount                Normal
Crémant de Loire Brut, Domaine de Nerleux            £9.95                      £10.75

Crémant de Loire Rose, Domaine de Nerleux           £9.95                      £10.75

Vouvray Brut, Domaine Champalou                         £11.70                     £12.75

Champagne J.P.Robert Brut                                      £18.95                     £20.50



Red wine
                                                                                                                  Discount   Normal
2009 Saumur Rouge, Domaine des Hauts de Sanziers                             £7.50      £8.15
A ripe and fruity Cabernet Franc from Dominique Tessier – this
wine has an elegance and nice balance

2009 Touraine Gamay, Domaine du Clos Roussely                                      £7.85      £8.50
Delicious fruity Gamay from low yields grown organically
by this exciting young vigneron.

2009 Anjou Rouge, Domaine Ogereau                                                          £7.95      £8.75
Easy drinking, fruity and with a nice concentration, Vincent Ogereau’s
latest vintage is fantastic value.

2009 Chinon, Domaine de la Perrière                                                           £8.75      £9.50
Christophe Baudry’s lovely 2009 is packed with ripe fruit
- it has a glorious nose of violets and a lovely balance.

2009 Saumur Champigny Dom. des Roches Neuves                                   £9.50      £10.25
The highly regarded Thierry Germain has made a delicious
Champigny this year, full of ripe fruit and charm.

2009 ‘Les Rouillères’ St Nicolas de Bourgueil                                            £9.75      £10.50
Frederic Mabileau’s delicious 2009 is rich ripe and elegant with an excellent balance.

2009 Sancerre Rouge ‘Les Pierris’                                                                £11.75   £12.60
Delicious Pinot Noir from the Champault brothers with good balance and drinking really well.

2008  Bourgueil ‘Racines’                                                                             £12.25   £13.25
Frédéric Mabileau is recognised by his peers as one of the finest vignerons
in the Loire valley and his 2008 Bourgueil, made from old vines, has
lovely ripe fruit and a very good length and concentration enhanced
 by careful ageing in oak.

2007  ‘Evanescence’  Anjou Villages                                                           £14.25   £15.25
Yves Guegniard has produced a wonderful wine made from Cabernet Franc – it has a lovely concentration and length.

2007  Chinon ‘ Coteau de Noire’ Philippe Alliet                                        £20.55   £22.25
Stunning wine from superbly located  vines in special vineyard and aged in new oak. Lovely rich and concentrated. Another fabulous wine from Chinon’s greatest winemaker.     

                               
Sweet wines
The following selection of sweet wines go extremely well with blue cheese, foie gras, and various fruit desserts – why not treat yourself to a bottle or two this Christmas?

2009 Coteaux du Layon, Domaine Ogereau      £11.95       £12.95

2007 Coteaux du Layon, ‘Soucherie’ Claude Papin [50cl]        £13.95        £14.95

2007 Coteaux du Layon ‘Les Rouannières’ Claude Papin [50cl]  £16.50   £17.85

2006 Quarts de Chaume, Chateau Pierre Bise [50cl] £19.75        £22.50



Dry white                                                                                 Discount  Normal
                                                                                                                                                               
2009 Saumur Blanc, Domaine des Hauts de Sanziers         £7.50      £8.15
Dominique Tessier’s lovely ripe Chenin Blanc has a good length and is most appealing.

2009 Touraine Sauvignon, Vincent Roussely     £7.85      £8.50
Organically grown from low yields, this lovely ripe Sauvignon has much more concentration than most from this appellation.


2009 Sauvignon, Domaine de Bablut          £7.95      £8.75
Christophe Daviau’s delicious organically produced Sauvignon is ripe, elegant and has a lovely balance.

2008  Muscadet Vieilles Vignes, ‘Le Clos des Allées’      £8.50      £9.20
Pierre Luneau’s stunning Muscadets go from strength to strength and this wine from a special site has real ripeness and excellent balance.   

2009 Chinon Blanc, Baudry-Dutour        £10.40   £11.25
Although predominantly a region for red wines, a number of vignerons have planted Chenin Blanc with great success, not least Christophe Baudry, who has made this delicious ripe and well balanced wine.
                               
2009 Château de la Roulerie, Chenin Sec    £10.65   £11.50
Now in the hands of the dynamic Philippe Germain, this famous old Anjou property has gone through a transformation. This superbly balanced ripe fruity wine goes well with lightly spiced and oriental food as well as traditional fish and white meat dishes.

2008  Petit Prince Chenin Blanc Dom. de Bablut      £10.65   £11.50
Christophe Daviau’s lovely Chenin Blanc is made organically and is bottled on the lees. It has a wonderful concentration and complexity.

2009 Vouvray Sec, Domaine Champalou       £10.75   £11.60
Didier Champalou’s delicious Vouvray has lovely ripe fruit and great length. It is for wines like this that he is regarded by many as the leading vigneron in this appellation.

2009 Quincy, Domaine des Ballandors        £10.75   £11.60
Jean Tatin’s delicious dry zesty and beautifully balanced Sauvignon is now drinking superbly.

2009 Sancerre ‘Les Pierris’ Domaine Champault    £11.55   £12.50
This classic Sancerre from the Champault brothers has a lovely blackcurrant nose, ripe Sauvignon flavours and is beautifully balanced.


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

2009 tasting: 15th November 2010

2009 Coutures, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Frédéric Mabileau
Certainly Frédéric Mabileau's 2009 Coutures from 40 year old vines and aged oak for some nine months was the favourite red of the evening.

Part of the tasting sheet
Just checkin!
Wines tasted: 

Aperitif
2009 Touraine Sauvignon Vincent Roussely

White:
2009 Quincy, Domaine des Ballandors, Jean Tatin and Chantal Wilk

2009 Anjou Blanc, Château de la Roulerie, Philippe Germain

2009 Savennières Clos de Coulaine, Claude Papin 

Red:
2009 La Cerisaie, Anjou Rouge, Domaine de la Bergerie, Yves Guegniard,

2009 Saumur Champigny, Domaine des Roches Neuves

2009 Domaine de la Perrières, Chinon, Baudry- Dutour

2009 Les Coutures,  Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Frédéric Mabileau
More to add later today...

Monday, November 15, 2010

15th November: 2009 tasting

We will be showing the following wines this evening at the tasting of 2009 Loires:

Aperitif
2009 Touraine Sauvignon Vincent Roussely

White:

2009 Quincy, Domaine des Ballandors

2009 Anjou Blanc, Château de la Roulerie

2009 Savennières Clos de Coulaine Claude Papin 

Red:

2009 La Cerisaie, Anjou Rouge, Domaine de la Bergerie, Yves Guegniard,

2009 Saumur Champigny, Domaine des Roches Neuves

2009 Chinon, Baudry- Dutour

2009 Les Coutures Frederic Mabileau
 

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

30th anniversary dinner: 11th October

Cheers with a glass of Régis Neau's Crémant de Loire


RSJ's 30th Anniversary Dinner
Monday 11th October 2010

RSJ's upstairs restaurant was packed last night for this celebratory dinner. The kitchen marshalled by veteran chef, Ian Stabler, were on top form. Also all the wines showed well with some particular stars.

Ian Stabler keeping a customary low profile but certainly producing the goods

Aperitif:
Crémant de Loire, Domaine de Nerleux, Régis Neau
Régis is one of the producers we have worked with for many years. His softly delicious Crémant is 70% Chenin and 30% Chardonnay and spends two years on its lees.

 

White:
1993 Montlouis Sec, Dominique Moyer
This was the big surprise of the night. Still very youthful, clean floral, buttery flavours with long, precise finish. Developed well in the glass. Was a fine match with the crab. 




1998 Saumur Blanc, ‘Les Cormiers’ Jean-Pierre Chevallier
From one of our favourite Loire producers, this was more golden than the 1993 Montlouis and richer, fine but not the best match with the crab.  

2004 Pouilly Fume ‘Pur Sang’ [Magnum] Didier Dagueneau

A sad reminder of how good a producer the later Didier Dagueneau was, this had lovely clean, precision and minerally length. A very good match with the crab.



Interesting that all three whites come from what are often termed difficult vintages. This is a reminder that the best dry white Loires often come from the cooler summers.


            Tian of Cornish crab watercress, crostini
Red:

1999 Chinon, Vieilles Vignes, Domaine de la Perrière, Christophe Baudry
Another star of the evening – soft and wonderfully delicate red fruits, 1999 was initially an unheralded vintage that is now showing very well. A really classic Chinon that showed really well with the duck.




1989 Anjou Villages, Vincent Ogereau 
In contrast to 1999, this was a very hot year – a glorious summer and autumn to celebrate the bicentennary of the French Revolution. This had richer fruit – leather, spice and fig.   

Sancerre ‘La Perpétuelle’, Claude & Laurent Champault
This was a fascinating treat and probably the first time that La Perpétuelle has been drunk in the UK. This is made by the solera system, better known for its use in sherry. Claude and Laurent have just one 600 litre barrel of this wine, which they started in 1995 – filling it with 1995 red Sancerre (Pinot Noir). In 1996 they took a third out and bottled it, topping the barrel up with 1996 Sancerre red. Unlike in sherry they keep the barrel topped up to prevent oxidation. Just 280 bottles of this wine are produced a year. Our thanks to Claude and Laurent for their generous gift.




Gressingham duck breast & confit leg,
Hisby cabbage, carrots, boulangere potatoes
Red wine jus

Sweet wine:

9] 2005 Coteaux de l’Aubance ‘Grandpierre’, Domaine de Bablut, Christophe Daviau            
Christophe is another producer we have worked with for many years. This sweet wine is richly citric,  with some luscious concentration and the mineral character that marks the single-vineyard, Grandpierre. Although it held its own reasonably well with the dessert, this is still probably best drunk on its own.            

Apple & Hazelnut torte

















Sunday, September 26, 2010

RSJ Wine Offer Autumn 2010

Bunch of Cabernet Franc in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil


A small selection of seasonal wines for drinking this autumn

DRY WHITE:
                        Please feel free to mix cases!             List                  Offer
Price               Price

2009 Saumur Blanc, Domaine de Nerleux                         
                                     £8.25
               £7.65
Regis Neau’s delicious dry Chenin Blanc has loads of ripe fruit and a very nice concentration and balance.

2009  Touraine Sauvignon, Domaine du Clos Roussely                                 
£8.50               £7.85
We started shipping Vincent Roussely’s wines last year and they have proved extremely popular. His Sauvignon is crisp, fresh and has a lovely ripeness and balance. Made organically.
2009 Sauvignon, Domaine de Bablut                                                               £8.70               £7.95

Wonderful organically produced Sauvignon from our old friend Christophe Daviau. It has real elegance with a lovely concentration.

2008 Muscadet Sur Lie  ‘ Le Clos des Allees’         
                                                      £9.20               £8.50
Pierre Luneau has a great reputation as probably the leading grower in this region. His ‘Clos des Allees’ from an individual parcel of old vines has excellent ripe fruit and a lovely minerality.

2009 Chateau de la Roulerie,  Anjou Blanc, Chenin Sec                                     
£11.50             £10.65
The  new vintage of Philippe Germain’s lovely Chenin has recently arrived and has a really attractive nose, ripe fruit and is beautifully balanced. Delicious with Oriental food as well as traditional European cuisine.

2008 Le Petit Princé, Anjou Blanc Chenin Blanc                                                   £11.50            £10.65
Made by Christophe Daviau from the Domaine de Bablut, this lovely dry organically produced Chenin Blanc is bottled on the lees and has
a lovely attractive nose, ripe fruit and is beautifully balanced.

2008 Sancerre, ‘Les Pierris’                                                                                   £12.50
            £11.55
The Champault brothers, Laurent & Claude, make this wonderful Sancerre which has a classic Sauvignon flavour and great character.

SPARKLING WINE:
 

Cremant de Loire, Domaine de Nerleux                                          £10.75             £9.95
Lovely dry fruit sparkler from Regis Neau made in the traditional method from Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay.

ROSE:

2009 Rosé de Loire, Domaine Ogereau                                                         £8.30               £7.50
Delicious dry fruity Rose from our old friend, Vincent Ogereau. Made from Gamay and Grolleau.

RED WINE:

2009 Saumur Rouge, Domaine des Hauts de Sanziers                                
£8.15               £7.50
Dominique Tessier’s Cabernet Franc has lovely ripe mouthwatering fruit with a good weight and fresh finish.

2008 Touraine Gamay, Domaine du Clos Roussely                                       £8.50
               £7.85
Vincent Roussely’s Gamay has a lovely weight and concentration with very ripe fruit and a long finish.


2009 Chateau de la Roulerie, Anjou Rouge,                                               
£9.35               £8.65
Philippe Germain’s latest Anjou Rouge has superb fruit and an excellent balance. Drinking really well!

2008 Chinon, Domaine de la Perrière                                                         
£9.70               £8.95
Christophe Baudry & Jean-Martin Dutour’s delicious Chinon is drinking exceptionally well and has a very good balance and lovely aroma of violets.

2009 Saumur Champigny, Domaine des Roches Neuves                            £10.15
             £9.25
This superb Champigny made by Thierry Germain is full of ripe Cabernet fruit with a lovely concentration and flavour.

2008 Bourgueil, ‘Racines’                            ’                                              
£13.25             £12.25
Frederic Mabileau’s classic Bourgueil made from old vines is aged for 11 months in 4-year old oak barrels and has subtle flavours of sandalwood and black fruits.Beautifully balanced and delicious!

2005 Petra Alba, Domaine de Bablut                                               £13.50             £12.50
Wonderful ripe Anjou Villages from a great vintage. Grown organically on clay & limestone soil and matured for 18 months, It has rich ripe intense fruit with a lovely concentration.

RSJ
33 Coin Street
London
                       Tel:- 020 7928 4554  
SE1 9NR                    E-Mail:- tom.king@rsj.uk.com    E&OE

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Italian Sunday lunch with Ursula Ferrigno: Sunday 7th November



Ursula revealing the secrets of making pasta

As many of you know, Ursula is soon heading off to Australia to live
but we are delighted that she will be doing an Italian Sunday lunch here at the beginning of November
[possibly her last but who knows with Ursula!]

‘Sicilian family favourites’
£30.00

Crisp and flavoursome herb semolina bread rolls
served with roasted aubergine peppers

Fresh and succulent swordfish
with mint and lemon dressing

Fresh ravioli,  pine nuts, cherry tomatoes
and  a hint of chilli

Baked fennel in a parcel with lemon
and mixed leaves

Orange and cinnamon cheesecake
With bitter chocolate sauce

Sicilian cheese with honey and pear


Cookery tuition
There will be a limited number of places available in the kitchen
to learn from and to assist Ursula in the preparation
of this food [£30.00 per person ]

For reservations please contact:

tom.king@rsj.uk.com

RSJ Restaurant
33 Coin Street
London
SE1 9NR
Tel: 020 7928 4554
 

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Forthcoming events at RSJ Restaurant


 Wine Tastings with Dinner          Start 7.15pm
Monday 11th October:   
30th Anniversary Dinner £55.00

The RSJ Restaurant opened in 1980 and we are holding a special dinner to celebrate 30 years. We will be featuring a four course dinner and various vintages from three decades including  magnums of 1989 St Nicolas de Bourgueil ‘Cuvee Prestige’ from Jean-Paul Mabileau and 2004 Pouilly Fume ‘Pur Sang’ from the late great Didier Dagueneau. Nigel will also tell a few of the more amusing anecdotes involving life at the restaurant during this period!


Monday 15th  November:

The Magnificent  2009 Vintage     
£45.00

 We will be tasting a number of wines from the much vaunted 2009 vintage Including some stunning Saumurs both red and white as well as Jean Tatin’s highly praised Quincy, some delectable Chinons
and St Nicolas de Bourgueil from Frederic Mabileau all in conjunction with a three course dinner.



Italian Sunday Lunches with Ursula Ferrigno As many of you will know, Ursula will soon be departing to live in Australia. She is hoping to finalise a date or two before her departure but a few last minute complications have meant that we are awaiting her confirmation on these. We will keep you informed as soon as we have these dates confirmed.


For event reservations please contact:
tom.king@rsj.uk.com      Tel: 020 7928 4554
RSJ Restaurant   33 Coin Street    London    SE1 9NR         www.rsj.uk.com

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Layon stars@RSJ 6th September

Eurostar arrives on time for strike threatened party
 

The stars from the Layon – Martie-Annick and Yves Guegniard, Catherine and Vincent Ogereau and Joëlle and Claude Papin – arrived in London early yesterday afternoon for a brief 24-hour visit for a couple of tastings at the RSJ. Unfortunately the six are threatened with transport strikes on both sides of the Channel. Starting yesterday evening there is a 24-hour London tube strike and when they get back to Paris later today they could hit the start of a French rail strike. 

The event was completely sold out with a considerable waiting list. As there were so many wines to try we held a walk round tasting down below in the brasserie section and then the dinner upstairs. The evening was a great success – we even managed to keep roughly to time! 

Here are some photos from the tasting last night:

Claude Papin
Catherine Ogereau
Joëlle Papin
Marie-Annick and Yves Guegniard
Vincent Ogereau

Tasters

Saturday, September 4, 2010

The three stars of the Layon: tasting 6th September

Yves Guegniard testing his 2010 Chenin Blanc@Domaine de la Bergerie  

This much anticipated dinner featuring three stars from the Layon – Claude Papin (Château Pierre-Bise, Beaulieu-sur-Layon),   Vincent Ogereau (Saint-Lambert-du-Lattayand Yves Guegniard (Domaine de la Bergerie, Champs-sur-Layon)– is completely sold out.

The following wines will be served during the dinner:

Aperitif:  
2009 Rose de Loire, Vincent Ogereau

White:
2008 Les Pierres Girard,  Yves Guegniard
2009 Savennières, Clos de Coulaine, Claude Papin

Red:
2008 Anjou Rouge, Vincent Ogereau
2009 Anjou Rouge, Yves Guegniard

Sweets:
2007 La Soucherie, Coteaux du Layon, Claude Papin
2007 Chaume, Coteaux du Layon, Yves Guegniard



Wines at the pre-dinner tasting:
 
Vincent Ogereau:

2009 Anjou Blanc
2008 Savennières Beaupreau
2008 Anjou Villages
2008 Anjou Villages, Côte de la Houssaye

Claude Papin:

2008 Le Haut de la Garde, Anjou Blanc
2008 Savennières Roches aux Moines
2008 Le Grand Beaupreau, Savennières
2008 Anjou Villages Schistes

Yves Guegniard:

2007 Savennières La Croix Picot
2007 Le Grand Beaupreau, Savennières
2007 Anjou Villages Evanessence

Friday, July 16, 2010

July 2010: menus



Beef fillet & Scottish scallop carpaccio, rocket Parmesan, seviche dressing  9.75 /17.95

Tian of dressed crab, Gazpacho, crostini    9.75 /17.95                                   

Confit Suffolk pork cheeks, pickled beetroots, watercress, apple, crispy bacon   6.95 /11.95
   
 Buffalo mozzarella, heritage tomatoes, aged balsamic        7.95 /11.95
      
Sautéed king prawns, squid & clams, olive & sun dried tomato salad  8.95 /17.95
  
Confit of lightly smoked halibut, pickled mushrooms, cucumber & herb salad, horseradish cream                           9.75 /18.95
  
Dish of the day               P.O.A

Grilled British rib-eye, sweet onions, Belgium endive, English farmhouse cheddar, fat chips                   18.95

Roast saddle of English lamb, fresh peas and broad beans, steamed leeks, Greek yoghurt & mint    16.95

Provencal stuffed peppers, feta, olives, rocket & pesto    11.95                                                                                   

Side Orders £2.95 
French beans
Roast beetroots
New season potatoes
House mixed salad / green salad
Chips

Fixed Price Menu

2 courses £16.95
3 courses £18.95


Soup of the day

Cherry tomato & broad bean pesto bruschetta, red onion & rocket salad

Pan fried sardines, new potatoes, watercress,  salsa verde

        *     *     *     *    *    * 

 Roast or cold poached salmon fillet, citrus & fennel salad, shrimp, lemon & shallot dressing

Seared Dutch calves liver, Chegworth Valley salad, Asiago cheese, new potatoes, tomato chutney

Home tea smoked chicken breast, Caesar salad, Parmesan croutons


*    *    *     *    *    *    

 Choice of desserts from the a la carte menu

*

 Desserts all £5.75

 Gooseberry bakewell tart, vanilla ice cream

 Rosewater buttermilk panna cotta, English strawberries

 Lemon & raspberry ‘tiramisu’

Coffee & milk chocolate brulée, chocolate brownie
  fingers

Chilled blackcurrant, redcurrant & mint soup,
  white chocolate ice cream

Iced amaretti parfait, poached apricots

Homemade ices and sorbets
              
Selection of cheeses served with quince paste and pressed fig and almond cake  £6.75                                    

Coffee      
 Filter       £2.00
 Cappuccino / decaff    £2.20
 Espresso / decaff         £2.00
 Double espresso      £2.95






Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Three great growers from Anjou: Vincent Ogereau, Claude Papin and Yves Guegniard

Wine Tasting with 3 course dinner at RSJ      £45            

An informal tasting with the growers will take place from 6.00 pm
and dinner with wine at 8.00pm

Monday 6th September   ‘Three great growers from Anjou’     

We are delighted that three of Anjou’s finest producers,
Claude Papin, Vincent Ogereau
and Yves Guegniard will be
showing their wines on this date.


They are all based in the heart of the Coteaux du Layon and make
a full range of Anjou wines, Red, Rose, Dry white and Sweet white
from some of the best-sited vineyards in the Layon Valley.

The three are close friends and have  a joint vineyard in Savennières,
‘Clos Grand Beaupreau’. They work closely together sharing ideas,
tasting and advising on each others wines. A full list of wines being
tasted is available.

Vincent Ogereau
is an ‘ intellectual’ vigneron, always happy to experiment and innovate in order to maximise the potential quality of his 24 hectare domaine.

Claude Papin
is a great geological specialist and there is probably no one who knows the complex and diverse terroir of this part of Anjou better than him.

Yves Guegniard
is the 7th generation of family wine growers and has been working at his 36 hectare Domaine de la Bergerie since 1979.
His philosophy is ‘respecting the authenticity and expression of terroir’. 

 
Menu:   Dived Scottish Scallop, Cod Brandade , Beurre Blanc
   Roast saddle of Lamb, seasonal vegetables, roasted new potatoes, lamb jus
Apple & hazelnut tart, vanilla ice cream


[vegetarians and non meat eaters can be catered for!]

For bookings please contact:

Tom King
RSJ Restaurant
33 Coin Street
London
SE1 9NR
Tel: 020 7928 4554      E-mail: tom.king@rsj.uk.com

Friday, July 9, 2010

Wine Offer July 2010



A small selection of seasonal wines for drinking this summer

DRY WHITE:
                        Please feel free to mix cases!             List                  Offer
Price               Price

2009 Saumur Blanc, Domaine des Hauts de Sanziers
                     £
8.15               £7.50
Dominique Tessier’s delicious dry Chenin Blanc has loads
of ripe fruit and a very nice concentration and balance.

2009  Touraine Sauvignon, Domaine du Clos Roussely                
£8.50               £7.85
We started shipping Vincent Roussely’s wines last year and they have proved extremely popular. His Sauvignon is crisp, fresh and has a lovely ripeness and balance.

2008 Muscadet ‘Sur Lie’ Pierre de la Grange         
                        £8.50               £7.85
Pierre Luneau has a great reputation as probably the leading grower in this region. This crisp, dry wine – ideal with seafood –  has lovely fruit and a really nice balance.

2008 Menetou Salon ‘Le Clos de la Cure’                          
            £10.95             £10.15
The Champault brothers, Laurent & Claude, have a small vineyard in the fashionable area of Menetou Salon, near Sancerre. This delicious Sauvignon has a really nice balance of fruit and acidity and is drinking very well.

2009 Chateau de la Roulerie,  Chenin Sec                                     
£11.50             £10.65
The  new vintage of Philippe Germain’s lovely Chenin has just arrived and has a really attractive nose, ripe fruit and is.beautifully balanced. Delicious with Oriental food as well as traditional European cuisine.

2008 Quincy, Domaine des Ballandors                                           
£11.95             £10.95
The multi award winning husband and wife, Jean Tatin & Chantal Wilk have again made a delicious Sauvignon in this ever more fashionable area relatively near to Sancerre with wonderful fruit and a great concentration and balance.


SPARKLING WINE:
 

A pair of lovely dry fruity sparklers from Régis Neauand ideal for celebrating the 11th stage of mark Cavendish in this year's Tour de France. Made using the traditional method.   


Crémant de Loire, Domaine de Nerleux
                                          £10.75             £9.95  
Crémant de Loire Rose, Domaine de Nerleux                                 £10.75             £9.95


ROSE:

2009 Rosé de Loire, Domaine Ogereau                                            £8.30               £7.50
Delicious dry fruity Rose from our old friend, Vincent Ogereau. Made from
Grolleau. and Gamay.

2009 Chinon Rosé ‘Marie- Justine’                                                  £
9.30               £8.65
Elegant dry fruity Rose from Christophe Baudry & Jean-Martin Dutour


RED WINE:

2009 Saumur Rouge, Domaine des Hauts de Sanziers                   
£8.15               £7.50
Dominique Tessier’s Cabernet Franc has lovely ripe mouthwatering fruit with a good weight and fresh finish.

2008 Touraine Gamay, Domaine du Clos Roussely                                   
£8.50               £7.85
Vincent Roussely’s Gamay has a lovely weight and concentration with very ripe fruit and a long finish.

2008 Anjou Rouge, Domaine Ogereau                                            
£9.35               £8.65
Vincent Ogereau’s latest Anjou Rouge has superb fruit and an excellent balance. Drinking really well!

2008 Chinon, Domaine de la Perrière                                             
£9.70               £8.95
Christophe Baudry & Jean-Martin Dutour’s delicious Chinon is perfect for summer drinking
with a very good balance and lovely aroma of violets.

2009 Saumur Champigny, Domaine des Roches Neuves                £
9.70               £8.95
This superb Champigny made by Thierry Germainis full of ripe Cabernet fruit with a lovely concentration and flavour.

2008 St Nicolas de Bourgueil, ‘Les Coutures’                                
£13.85             £12.85
Frederic Mabileau’s classic St Nicolas made from old vines is aged for 11 months in 3-year old oak barrels and has spicy intense  fruit and an elegant expression of exceptional terroir. Awarded the ‘Liger d’Or’ at this year’s prestigious Salon des Vins de Loire.

RSJ
33 Coin Street
London
SE1 9NR       
Tel:- 020 7928 4554               E-Mail:- tom.king@rsj.uk.com                                                                                                                                                          E&OE

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Sumertime rosé! Ogereau's 2009 Rosé de Loire + big trio tasting

Enjoying a glass of 2009 Rosé de Loire, Domaine Ogereau

Now that we seem to be enjoying a prolonged spell of warm, sunny weather what could be better than a nicely chilled bottle of rosé. Our consignment of Vincent Ogereau's deliciously easy drinking rosé has arrived just in time for the sun. Made from 60% Grolleau and 40% Gamay this has attractive, ripe red fruit flavours. Available retail* at a special summer price of £7.50 a bottle. In the restaurant it's £18.95 a bottle and by the glass for £4.25 (125mls).

* To order please contact Tom King on 020-7928 4554 or tom.king@rsj.uk.com

**

The Big trio tasting: Monday 6th September 
A reminder that our 2010 anniversary tastings with Loire producers concludes with the much anticipated visit from Claude and Joëlle Papin (Château Pierre-Bise), Vincent and Catherine Ogereau (Domaine Ogereau) and Yves and Marie-Annick Guégniard (Domaine de la Bergerie).  

With three growers present the format will be a little different from normal. There will be a walk round tasting beforehand starting from around 6pm, so plenty of opportunity to meet our three producers and taste their wines. Then we will move upstairs for dinner around 7.45 with each grower presenting their domaines and showing two wines. Cost of the tasting and dinner will be £45.

We anticipate that this will be a great evening and that demand for places will be high. Please contact Tom King on 020-7928 4554 or tom.king@rsj.uk.com to book. 




Thursday, June 24, 2010

Philippe Germain on 22nd June

Philippe chatting over the aperitif 

The always enthusiastic Philippe Germain was over in London this week and on Tuesday evening presented a short range of his wines at the RSJ. Philippe moved from Bordeaux in 2001 and initially worked with his father, Bernard, selling the range of Germain wines that included Château de Fesles that was subsequently sold to Grands Chais de France. 

In 2006 he acquired the lovely Château de la Roulerie in Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné in one of the best parts of the Layon.   

Wines were:

Aperitif:  
2007 Chenin Blanc, Anjou Blanc 
This 2007 is showing very well at the moment with lovely pure citric fruit, especially grapefruit – all the precision and purity that is typical of the 2007 vintage.

Whites:
2009 Chenin Blanc, Anjou Blanc

Naturally still youthful with the weight you would expect of 2009 with floral and grapefruit notes. Closed with a screwcap.

2008 Les Terrasses, Anjou Blanc 

Philippe's top dry white from vines on terraces created by Gaston Lenôtre in the early 1990s. Very clean with brilliant minerality.

Served with goats cheese and asparagus salad with crouton


Philippe is happy to admit that the schisteous terroir of La Roulerie is not ideally suited to making red wine. Indeed he would rather concentrate on the whites but his brother, Thierry of Domaine des Roches Neuves, urges him to continue to make red as well. In truth the Roulerie reds are pleasant and well made but they are ones to drink young, enjoy young and not to be taken particularly seriously.  


Philippe in full flight   

Reds:
2009 Cabernet Franc, Anjou Rouge
10% Cabernet Sauvignon, Anjou Rouge 
Philippe waited until around 20th October to pick when the fruit was fully ripe. Unusually this has 10% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. Youthful black fruits with some structure  and still attractive freshness in the finish despite the wine having 13-13.5% alcohol. 

2008 Cabernet Franc, Anjou Rouge  

Soft attractive, easy drinking fruit.

Served with roast rib eye beef with new potatoes, summer vegetables and red wine sauce


 1990 Cuvée Louis

Sweet: 

1990 Cuvée Louis, Coteaux du Layon Chaume, Château de la Roulerie,
The definite star of the evening a lovely sweet wine made by Dominique Jadeau – the last vintage he made before he sold Roulerie to Lenôtre. Medium gold – the 1990s took on colour very early – with rich dried apricot and peachy fruit and the typical Loire acidity that stops these rich wines being cloying. Very long flavour too. Really a wine to enjoy by itself instead of a dessert or after the end of the meal.

Served with apple meringue pie with pecan ice cream