It’s always nice to visit this beautiful Italian restaurant “Baan Thalia” at Anantara Resort and especially for a wine dinner like this. On 28th January we were invited to try the new Australian wines; “Stonefish” by Peter Papanikitas. When one wine is no better than another, it’s difficult to give you my favorite; as wine for me is like music – different mood, different choices. Upon our arrival we were offered Stonefish Sparkling Wine Brut Cuvee to cool us down along with some Mediterranean canapés. The night started being interesting from the beginning. The winemaker is originally Greek, but that has nothing to do with I loved his wines.
The Baan Thalia is beautifully decorated in natural tones and long wooden tables. The new chef made excellent choices which perfectly accompanied the wines. For appetiser we had avocado tartar with caramelised scallops, rocket leaf and lemon vinaigrette together with Stonefish Sauvignon Blanc 2013. The wine has an exciting topical fruit taste of pear and citrus. It presents a fresh and lively palate with an uncomplicated and soft progression to a clean finish. An Italian seafood soup with fennel was next with Stonefish Merlot 2010.
This Merlot displays plum juice and earthy overtones. Lengthy fruit on the palate is accompanied by a fine grain tannin finish. A perfect winterwarming wine. For entree we had ravioli of braised lamb stew with caramelised onion, deliciously made and matching wonderful with the Stonefish Shiraz 2012. The wine displays a youthful rich and ripe palate with red berries and spices interwoven with oak. A well balanced, full bodied wine enhanced by soft tannins. As a main course we had duck breast on braised radicchio and polenta cake with anis-balsamic-honey sauce. The duck was cooked to perfection and the polenta cake really surprised me with the strong taste of the sauce. This dish was accompanied by my favorite wine of the night; Stonefish Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2010.
This Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon has excellent varietal character with intense blackcurrant aroma and hints of regional bay leaf and quality oak. The palate is medium bodied with a good depth of black forest fruits and a grip of fine tannins, beautifully balanced with superb length. And the dish of the day as I have mentioned already too many times chocolate Lava, the name says it all; The chocolate lovers will simply love it. While I am talking about it my mouth is watering again. And a beautiful dessert like came together with one of the few dessert wines I really liked; Flying Finix 2006.
This is a smooth and mellow wine with just enough sweetness to keep you coming back again and again. This beautiful finish to the night left us only with sweet memories. Big thanks to Anantara Resort & Spa for inviting us in this special night and to Mr. Peter Papanikitas who shared with us his passion; his wonderful wines. Stonefish wines “Australian to the bone”.
