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I was privileged to have been a guest at the most beautifully restored Georgian House in the Lammamuirs south of Edinburgh... read more
I was privileged to have been a guest at the most beautifully restored Georgian House in the Lammamuirs south of Edinburgh, owned by a very senior ex-soldier who, for his services to the Sultanate of Oman, is purported to receive 1% of this rich country’s G.D.P.! We were there to shoot – not the military kind, but high pheasant and partridge. {mosgoogle}
We had a delightful dinner consisting of lobster, accompanied by Marquis de Laguiche 2000, Chassagne Montrachet (a beautifully elegant and balanced wine, typical of the Joseph Drouhin style), local beef, and a Jeroboam of Montrose 1982. Perfectly mature and in big bottle, still with bags of fruit, but not a blockbuster as some Montrose can be, but lovely to drink now. We ended with Croft 1963 – sweet, ripe and stylish, very vibrant, one of the best 1963’s in my view.
The following day’s shooting was excellent; a white frost covering the hills, with a clear blue sky. We could have done with a little more wind for the sport, but it was a glorious day to be out in the countryside.
On the drive just before lunch, I was sad to find an ageing ram, upside down, long dead and frozen solid. He had wonderful curling horns, the sort so often depicted on labels of Chateau Mouton Rothschild. It was slightly bizarre then at lunch to be served lamb stew accompanied by Mouton 1983! It made one feel how good it is to be alive.
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