Today it was with great pleasure that Henri Lurton hosted Nicole Rabe (buyer) and Mélanie Wagner (sommelier) from Schwarzer Adler, the famous restaurant from the Black Forest, for lunch and a visit.

Henri had discovered their legendary establishment this past November, during a short stay organized by Sylvie Pechstein from ‘The Wine Merchant,’ where he was the guest of honor for a superb tasting of old Brane vintages. On a menu concocted by Thibault Servas, our two guests discovered Baron 2004, already very round and open, with lamb sweetbread glazed in juice and caramelized silverskin onions; Brane 200, still quite young and particularly fresh and fruity, served with spiced roasted pigeon and lightly seared morels; then a fine 1998 with mature cheese from Michèle Cols-Boada. Dessert, a chocolate coulant with cocoa nibs, served with a raspberry-hibiscus compote, was absolutely succulent!

It was a friendly, relaxed visit for a three-day program that was absolutely packed for our two visitors, one of whom, Mélanie Wagner, just received ‘Best Sommelier of the Year’ award from Gault et Millau-2010 Edition. Congratulations!!

For more information about this restaurant, which probably has the finest wine list in Europe, visit www.schwartzeradler.eu