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.




Thursday, August 25, 2011

Ursula Ferrigno: Sunday 14th August – photos

Ursula – her customary ebullient self

Some photos from the preparations for Ursula Ferrigno's Sunday lunch@the RSJ on 14th August.

Alex  now back at the piano after a spell in Australia

A tray of gnocchi

A trio of peppers


Look out for Ursula's autumn programme of Sunday lunches. Details will be available shortly.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Sébastien Treuillet: 2010 Pouilly-Fumé

 

The RSJ has recently started to import and list this Pouilly-Fumé from Sébastien Treuillet. Sébastien is a small producer from near Tracy-sur-Loire, who apparently has just three hectares of vines – some in the PF appellation as well as some in the nearby Coteaux-du-Giennois.  

We met him because he shares a stand at the Salon des Vins de Loire with the Champaults our Sancerre suppliers.

The 2010 is best not drunk too chilled otherwise its weight and length will be hidden. It has a complex and aromatic nose – some gooseberry, grapefruit and other ripe citric notes – allied with weight and length. Certainly a well-made Pouilly-Fumé.

I plan to be in Sancerre/Pouilly towards the end of August, so may well get the opportunity to visit Sébastien Treuillet then.

Address: 12 Route de Boisfleury, Fontenille, 58150 Tracy-sur-Loire. 
Tel: 03.86.26.17.06

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Autumn at RSJ Restaurant: Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé etc. 12th September

Wine Tasting with Dinner [3 courses]

Starts 7.15pm

 
Monday 12th September    ‘Eastern Delights’                                   £48.65
 
 
 
We will be looking at both red and white wines from the eastern end of the Loire  and tasting wines from Reuilly, Quincy, Pouilly, Menetou Salon and Sancerre where Sauvignon and Pinot Noir can be found at their most enticing.

We will feature wines from the Tatin family, the Champault brothers and a new discovery, Domaine Treuillet in Pouilly as well as other distinguished names,
including Chateau de Tracy 1999.
 
 
For reservations please contact:
 
 
Tel: 020 7928 4554
 
RSJ Restaurant
33 Coin Street
London
SE1 9NR
 

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Tasting of 2010 vintage: 4th July


2010 harvest@Domaine de la Butte, Bourgueil

This is a rather belated report on a tasting at the RSJ Restaurant on Monday 4th July featuring a range from the 2010 vintage. 2010 is an interesting contrast to 2009. Overall the wines, although they have good fruit, have crisper acidity and a more marked mineral character than the richer 2009. 

Growing season of 2010 the Loire divided climatically into two parts: west and east of Tours. To the west it was very dry with some parts of Anjou having virtually no rain in April and May then again in July and August. Over the the whole year Angers had 595mm of rain compared to the average of 647mm. The 2010 total was boosted by high rainfall in November and December. The Pays Nantais had a similarly dry summer. Average temperatures here in 2010 were 16.2˚C exactly in line with the norm average of 16.2˚C. In contrast the average for 2009 was considerably higher at 17.1˚C.

Further east in Bourges the rainfall total in 2010 was 691mm against a norm of 732mm. Although slightly below average, it was well above that of 2009 – 622mm. Average max temperatures in 2010 were 15.6˚C compared to the norm of 15.8˚C. 2010 was much cooler than 16.9˚C.




Aperitif:
2010 Sauvignon, Vin de Pays de la Loire, Domaine de Bablut
This Sauvignon Blanc from Christophe Daviau was for many among their favourite wines of the tasting. It immediately pointed up the difference between the 2009 and 2010 vintages. The 2009 SB Bablut was a fatter, richer wine with more exotic fruit flavours. In contrast, although the 2010 has some weight, it is more mineral and has more marked acidity.

Whites:
2010 AC Touraine Sauvignon, Clos Roussely, Vincent Roussely
Attractive crisp lemony fruit well balanced with mineral acidity. As is often the case the acidity is more marked on the Touraine Sauvignon than those from Anjou. Whites from the clay limestone soils of Saumur and Touraine tend to have higher levels of acidity than those from the impervious rocks and soils of Anjou.


2010 Quincy, Domaine des Ballandors, Jean Tatin and Chantal Wilk
The Ballandors' Quincy is quite lean and citric at present. It may take on more weight over the next few months.

2010 Chenin Blanc, Anjou Blanc, Ch de la Roulerie, Philippe Germain
A change of grape variety here moving from the trio Sauvignon Blancs to Chenin Blanc. Again la Roulerie is quite crisp and lemony at present and may gain weight with a little more time in bottle. I found this showed better with the  

2010 3 Coteaux, Chinon Blanc, Baudry-Dutour
An ideal bracing aperitif – very clean citric flavours with light floral. Closed with a screwcap. Tasted without food this was the clear preference amongst the tasters. With the salmon the verdict was less clear cut.



Reds:

2010 Clos de la Bienboire, Château de Villeneuve, Jean-Pierre Chevallier  
This was probably the first time this new no sulphur cuvée from Jean-Pierre has been shown at a tasting in the UK. Its attractively soft, bright reds fruits are to be enjoyed now. A wine to drink with friends rather than on to analyse.   

2010 Les Rouillères, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Frédéric Mabileau
Showing more concentration than the Bienboire with juicy black fruits to the fore. Can be kept two or three years but very good to drink now and enjoy the youthful fruit. 

2010 Anjou Rouge Château de la Roulerie, Philippe Germain
Again black fruits to the fore being from Anjou the tannins are a little more present.


2010 Saumur Champigny, Domaine de Roches Neuves, Thierry GermainBright youthful, vibrant fruit – both red and black fruits. The 2010s from Thierry are a real success.  

1996 Chinon Vieilles Vignes, Domaine de la Perrière, Jean & Christophe Baudry
We chose a 1996 to finish as it was our guess as a vintage that may give a clue as to how the 2010 may age. The mid-weight Vieilles Vignes has aged attractively with mature soft, round fruit. Ready to drink now it can be kept a while longer although I doubt if it will improve further. 


Starter:
Ballotine of Salmon with cucumber dressing
Main:
Confit Duck leg
Saute potatoes, spinach, braised celery, carrots

Dessert
Griottine cherry and Greek yogurt jelly with whipped cream and shortbread

Ursula Ferrigno: Sunday 14th August


Ursula Ferrigno

Italian Lunch – Sunday 14th August

‘Estate Preferiti’


We still have some places available for this event hosted by Ursula Ferrigno.


Miniature rolled herbed omlettes with ricotta and tomatoes

Gnocchi with roasted aubergine and courgettes

Marinated swordfish with lemon and mint

Panzanella salad beans

Three melon sorbet

Specially sourced cheeses



To book – please contact:
Tom King
RSJ Restaurant
33 Coin Street
London
SE1 9NR

Tel: 020 7928 4554

Ursula and her students preparing lunch in June