James Bond likes his martinis, but oenophiles will be quick to point out that Château Angélus has appeared in three Bond flicks, namely Casino Royale (2006), Spectre (2015), and No Time To Die (2021). Back in Kuala Lumpur, on a recent weeknight, we thanked the gods Bacchus and speedy Mercury for the conjunction of Aston Martin and Bond’s best drink, Château Angélus, over dinner at Chinese Palace Kuala Lumpur.
Guests were welcomed by an automotive selection of Aston Martin’s DBX707 luxury SUV, the V8 twin turbo Vantage, and the super grand tourer DB12. Inside, among the enviable line-up awaiting guests, were vintages from 2019, 2016, 2009, 2005, and 1995 in several rare bottle formats. The nine-generation, family-owned and run Angélus was represented by export director Bong Grelat-Tram. The vivacious Grelat-Tram is a wine producer in her own right, who has found her niche with the help of her mentors, the father-daughter team of Hubert and Stephanie de Bouard, owners of Château Angélus.
All the blessed wines were paired to perfection with the exquisite creations of the inspired Frankie Woo, Chinese Palace’s chef. Like Angélus, Woo is known for his unerring poise on nose and palate, and he only enhanced his legend that night among the lucky gourmands.
The tuxedo-plating and naming of the six courses are spelt out here, and should be read out loud for full enjoyment: You Only Live Thrice (Smoked Duck Pani Puri, Crispy Chicken Parfait, Salmon Caviar Avocado Salad), Lobtopussy (Lobster Bisque Dumpling with Gold Leaves), Skyfall Pigeon (Roasted Crispy Pigeon with Garlic), Tomorrow Never Iberico (wok-seared Iberico Collar with Daikon and Soya Butter Sauce), Licence to Beef (Japanese A4 Beef Sando), and The Man with the Orange Gun (Chilled Orange Pudding Served in Orange Skin).
Angelus wines are possessed of a balance of lushness and racy complexity that eludes easy elaboration, but are unmistakable to the senses. For one, the exceptionally versatile Carillon de Angelus 2016 pairs superbly with fine Asian flavours. Robert Parker described it as a silk scarf of scent and an imprint of the grands vins on the finest rice paper when tasted in 2022, which holds true to this day. Just bear in mind it needs no decanting and shows its best side at 17°C, Bong advises, truly the hostess with the most-est, as the evening’s privileged guests will attest.
Château Angélus | Aston Martin
Photography by Law Soo Phye
