Bordeaux triumph in Bremen: An evening of elegance, depth and pleasure
On 29 January 2025, wine lovers experienced a top-class vinophile spectacle at the BAR RIQUE in Bremen – an evening that brought the fascination for Bordeaux to life in all its facets.
In collaboration with the renowned Bordeaux wineries Château Branaire-Ducru (Saint-Julien), Château Giscours (Margaux), Château Clinet (Pomerol), Château Canon La Gaffelière (Saint-Émilion) and Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste (Pauillac), an event was staged that appealed to all the senses and created unforgettable moments of pleasure.
The event was hosted by Max Bomm (Winescout Lobenberg) and Jannis Bartsch, the charismatic and always cheerful sommelier and owner of BAR RIQUE. The panel was complemented by representatives of the wineries, who gave fascinating insights into their châteaux and explained the particularities and challenges of each vintage.
The tasting was divided into five flights and provided a good insight into the diversity of the terroirs of these five châteaux. At the same time, the differences between the right and left bank became impressively clear:
Flight 1: Château Canon La Gaffelière – vintages 2010, 2016, 2019
Flight 2: Château Clinet – vintages 2009, 2015, 2019
Flight 3: Château Giscours – vintages 2010, 2012, 2018
Flight 4: Château Branaire-Ducru – vintages 2012, 2016, 2018
Flight 5: Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste – vintages 2006, 2011, 2018
But what would a great tasting be without a perfectly matched menu? The kitchen crew at BAR RIQUE created a culinary accompaniment that was on a par with the wines:
Boudin Noir – Ravioli al Uovo: A sophisticated combination of black pudding and ravioli with a runny egg yolk, whose creamy texture wonderfully emphasised the elegance of the Saint-Émilion wines.
Lamb Rossini: Tender braised lamb, topped with foie gras and black truffle, a dish that formed a sensory-expanding symbiosis with the superbly matured Pomerol wines.
Boeuf Bourguignon: Deep, earthy and complex in flavour, this classic dish was paired at a high level with Pauillac and Saint-Julien wines at a high level.
Baked apple profiteroles: Caramelised apples in a fluffy choux pastry – a subtle yet powerful way to round off the menu, ending the evening with a touch of nostalgia.
My personal wine of the evening: the magnificent 2009 Château Clinet. Even from the standard Gabriel glass, a beguiling aroma of undergrowth, animal notes, spices and red fruits emanated – almost like a noble perfume. Silky and elegant on the palate, additional flavours of coffee, mocha and truffles developed retronasally. The whole thing led to a very long, elegant finish. This wine had a fantastic drinking flow – unfortunately the glass was empty far too quickly! A truly hedonistic 2009 vintage at Château Clinet. The blend consisted of 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Such tastings with such an impressive density of great wines are a real rarity in Bremen. Here, expertise, passion and culinary excellence came together to create an evening that will be long remembered. Many thanks to the entire BAR RIQUE team!