Glenn's 50th Birthday

Glenn's house in Southlake, TX
Tasted Sunday, June 26, 2011 by wineismylife with 688 views

Introduction

The Saturdays at One group got together this past Sunday to celebrate Glenn's 50th birthday. You only turn 50 once and our good friend Glenn decided to do it up right. Glenn and his wife Za hosted the event at their lovely home in Southlake, TX. They hired Chef Jennifer Brightman (formerly with The Four Seasons Las Colinas and Classic Cafe in Roanoke) to prepare a specially designed dinner around the wines selected for the evening. The menu for the evening was:

First Course
Spicy Tuna Crudo with Yuzu Dressing, Avocado, Fried Wonton and American Caviar

Second Course
Arugula, Shaved Fennel and Heirloom Orange Salad with Hazelnut Crusted and Warmed Purple Haze Goat Cheese and Orange Gastric Vinaigrette and Dill Garnish

Third Course
Duck Two Ways
Roasted Chinese Barbecued Breast of Duck with Raspberry Syrup Drizzle and Mini Scallion Pancake
Confit of Duck with Haricot Verts and Walnut Vinaigrette

Fourth Course
Pan Seared Kobe Wagyu Ribeye with Roasted Shitake and Oyster Mushrooms with Chive Oil, Caramelized Onion Marmalade and Pommes Frites

Dessert Course
Mango Creme Brulee, Green Tea Ice Cream and Sugared Crostatas

Absolutely every course was singing. Chef Jennifer was seriously on her game this evening. She is recommended for your event. Seek her out.

The birthday boy was kind enough to provide all of the wines served during the dinner. Every one was top notch from top to bottom. Here are the results:

Flight 1 - First Course (2 Notes)

Spicy Tuna Crudo with Yuzu Dressing, Avocado, Fried Wonton and American Caviar

  • 2002 Louis Barthélémy Champagne Brut Saphir 93 Points

    France, Champagne

    WIML93+

    Tasted non blind at a wine dinner.

    Light yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout with full and steady beading. Flavors of yellow pears, yellow apples, toast and apricot. Flavors of almonds, yellow pears, yellow apples and a hint of sherry. Medium to bright acidity, full bodied. Drink or hold.

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  • 1999 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Millésimé Rosé 93 Points

    France, Champagne

    WIML93+/-

    Tasted non blind at a wine dinner.

    Salmon color in the glass, clear looking throughout with fine and steady beading. Nose of strawberries, raspberries, cherries and a bit of tropical fruit. Flavors of strawberries, raspberries and cherries. Medium to bright acidity, medium to full bodied. Drink or hold.

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Flight 2 - Second Course (2 Notes)

Arugula, Shaved Fennel and Heirloom Orange Salad with Hazelnut Crusted and Warmed Purple Haze Goat Cheese and Orange Gastric Vinaigrette and Dill Garnish

  • 2005 Didier Dagueneau Pur Sang 95 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé

    WIML95+

    Tasted non blind at a wine dinner.

    Light yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of grapefruit, wet grass, peach, apricot and wet stones. Flavors of peach, lime, grapefruit, apricot and minerals. Bright acidity, medium to full bodied. Drink or hold.

    I've tasted this wine on numerous occasions (including 48 hours prior to this bottle) and this was definitely the finest this bottle has ever shown. Lots of promise here.

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  • 2008 Vogelzang Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 93 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara

    WIML93+/-

    Tasted non blind at a wine dinner.

    Light yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of honeysuckle, lychee, papaya and orange foam. Flavors of peach, grapefruit and papaya. Medium acidity, medium to full bodied. Drink or hold.

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Flight 3 - Third Course (3 Notes)

Duck Two Ways
Roasted Chinese Barbecued Breast of Duck with Raspberry Syrup Drizzle and Mini Scallion Pancake
Confit of Duck with Haricot Verts and Walnut Vinaigrette

  • 2003 Domaine de Beaurenard (Paul Coulon et Fils) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Boisrenard 95 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    WIML95+

    Tasted non blind at a wine dinner.

    Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of flowers, berries, cherries, cinnamon and wet stones. Flavors of black berries, black cherries, black licorice, dark plums and minerals. Bright acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Drink or hold. I'd hold myself.

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  • 2007 Domaine Saint Préfert Châteauneuf-du-Pape Collection Charles Giraud 95 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    WIML95+

    Tasted non blind at a wine dinner.

    Garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of graham crackers, berries, plums and a bit of boysenberry. Flavors of rich, dark berries, black cherries, plums and currants. Medium to bright acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Hold. So young, guessing around the 95 point plus mark.

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  • 2008 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    WIML93+

    Tasted non blind at a wine dinner.

    Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of Christmas spices, roasted meat, tobacco, black berries and plums. Flavors of rich black berries, black cherries, boysenberries and plums. Bright acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Drink now with some air or continue hold. I'd likely hold.

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Flight 4 - Fourth Course (2 Notes)

Pan Seared Kobe Wagyu Ribeye with Roasted Shitake and Oyster Mushrooms with Chive Oil, Caramelized Onion Marmalade and Pommes Frites

  • 2004 Brancaia Il Blu Toscana IGT 94 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    WIML94-95+/-?

    Tasted non blind at a wine dinner.

    Dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of saddle leather, soapstone, florals, plums and black berries. Flavors of black berries, black currants, boysenberries and black cherries. Bright acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Drink or hold. I'd likely hold another year to let it flesh out some more in bottle.

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  • 2007 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    WIML93+/-

    Tasted non blind at a wine dinner.

    Dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of birthday cake, potpourri, berries, cherries, tobacco and plums. Flavors of currants, blueberries, black berries, cherries and plums. Medium acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Drink now with some air or continue to hold.

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Flight 5 - Fifth Course (2 Notes)

Mango Creme Brulee, Green Tea Ice Cream and Sugared Crostatas

  • 2005 Markus Molitor Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Beerenauslese * 97 Points

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    WIML97

    Tasted non blind at a wine dinner.

    Light yellow to yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of orange foam, lychee, peach, honey and wet stones. Flavors of honey, apricot, dried pineapple and lilikoi. Bright acidity, full bodied. Drink or hold. No rush. Should be very long lived.

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  • 2005 Domaine Huet Vouvray Cuvée Constance 96 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

    WIML96-97

    Tasted non blind at a wine dinner.

    Light yellow to yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of apricot core, tangerine, soaked pears and lychee. Flavors of dried pineapple, lychee, lilikoi an lemon curd. Medium to bright acidity, full bodied. Drink or hold. I'd likely hold for a few more years. Should be long lived.

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Closing

Many thanks to Glenn and Za for a wonderful evening with the best of friends, excellent food and exceptional wines.

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