Outlook Hill is a winery in the Yarra Valley and tonight we're attending a wine dinner, featuring the Outlook Hill range.
On arrival we enjoyed glasses of Champagne Gardet Cuvee Riche while waiting for all the guests to arrive. We had a taste of the cuvee riche at lunch on Saturday and it is just a superb aperitif styled champagne, that touch of sweetness just makes it special.
I can't overlook the great bread rolls - they are offered as usual in their cloth sacks, irresistibly warm. You would be very happy just eating this warm bread.
We begin with an amuse:
Freshly chucked Oysters and Escargots de Bourgogne
NV Champagne Gardet Brut Tradition "St Flavy"
Duo of caramelised scallops, smoked pork belly, carrot puree, apple and watercress salad, almond foam
2008 Outlook Hill Pinot Gris
2008 Outlook Hill Pinot Rose
Pork and scallops are often served together and this was a stunning dish. Fabulous meaty scallops perfectly served - the pork, soft and gelatinous, masterfully smoked to give enough of that smoke character without being overpowering. The skin was almost caramel like in consistency.
Herb crusted Rockling, white asparagus, morel mushroom gnocchi, truffle beurre noisette
2006 Outlook Hill Chardonnay
2007 Outlook Hill Gold Leaf Chardonnay
A plate of indulgent spring flavours - soft morel gnocchi and tender white asparagus. A beautifully cooked piece of rockling - I love when it just flakes along its layers.
Veal Tenderloin, hazelnut and cabbage salad, crispy sweetbreads, salsa verde
2006 Outlook Hill Pinot Noir
2007 Outlook Hill Gold Leaf Pinot Noir
Perfectly cooked, it's a gorgeous piece of veal.
Selection of Artisan Cheese with quince paste and
fruit bread
2006 Outlook Hill Gold Leaf Reserve Cabernet Merlot
Peanut Butter, chocolate brownie parfait, caramel sauce, peanut praline
2005 Chateau Fayau Cadillac
It certainly deserves a close up.
A delightful way to finish the evening - for something of its size it is surprising light. The brownie isn't too dense and the parfait is like whipped air. A marvelous combination of flavours, chocolate, caramel and peanuts.
The details:
268 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Phone: (03) 8256 1636
Open:
Lunch - Tuesday to Sunday: 12pm to 2.30pm
Dinner - Tuesday to Saturday: 6pm to late
Web:
www.lesboucheries.com.au