I like the look of Mark Moriarty’s Easter lamb recipe, and I will certainly be trying out the anchovy hollandaise. It is very wine-friendly too. A roast of lamb will go nicely with just about any red wine, especially those with a bit of body and some tannins. Rioja Reserva and Chianti are classic choices that are sure to work well, as are most cabernets and merlots. If you intend to serve vegetarian food, roast red peppers or mushroom dishes will provide a good match for these wines.
You could choose a cabernet or merlot from California, South Africa, Chile or Australia, but this week I concentrate on Bordeaux, the home of merlot and cabernet. Lamb from Pauillac in Bordeaux has a PGI certification. I feature here four Bordeaux ranging in price from under €12 to €65. If you shop in Aldi, they will have the Château Billeron Bouquey 2020, Saint Émilion Grand Cru, great value for €11.99 (down from €14.99).
If you want to treat yourself and cannot find the Pavillon de Léoville-Poyferré featured here, I have enjoyed Château Potensace 2018, La Dame d’Angludet 2019, and La Réserve de Léoville-Barton 2018 recently. These are all available at €40-60 from independent wine shops. I would also highly recommend Château Tour des Termes 2016 (€50, Searsons, La Touche, The Wine Vaults, Clontarf), the property of the late Eddie O’Connor, now being run by his family. I can also recommend the full-bodied Château Yon Lavallade 2019 Saint-Émilion (€26, Molloys) and the Château Poitevin 2016 Cru Burgeois Médoc, €18.95, down from €21.95, (O’Briens).
[ Why the lamb you bought for Easter is probably not spring lambOpens in new window ]
Château Haut Pingat 2019, Bordeaux
13.5%, €11.95 (down from €14.95)
Very seductive forward ripe soft plum fruits with a nicely rounded finish. This would go nicely with any kind of roast meat. From: O’Briens
Monsieur de Cambon 2018, Haut-Médoc
13.5%, €20
Stylish, fresh supple red fruits with light tannins on the finish. Great value and a good partner for lamb. From: Whelehan’s, Loughlinstown, Dublin.
Château Croix-Mouton 2018, Bordeaux Supérieur
13.5%, €27
Supple well-made Bordeaux with seductive dark fruits and smooth tannins. Perfect with roast red meats. From: Green Man Wine, D6W; 64wine, Glasthule.
Pavillon de Léoville-Poyferré 2016, Saint-Julien
13%, €64.99
A classic Saint-Julien with elegant cassis and plum fruits with lead pencil and fine tannins. For a special treat with roast lamb. From: Ely Wine Store, Maynooth; The Vintry, D6; wineonline.ie;
