Dinner at SOLA

Saturday night tasting menu

Morel, Tomatillo, Goat's Curd
Kohlrabi, Gorgonzola Dolce, Granny Smith
"Gustave's Artichoke's", Parmesan, Truffle

• 2019 Hermann J. Wiemer Riesling Bio HJW Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, New York, Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake

  First time drinking a Finger Lakes Riesling. Interesting, pure-feeling wine, with the mineral, lime-dominated flavour profile of South Australian Riesling but far less acidity; in fact, the wine was almost caressing in its mouthfeel despite otherwise being very austere, perhaps even 'minimal' (I suspect the feeling results from it being partly matured in - presumably neutral - oak). A good match for the disparate starters but would be unexciting on its own.

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Kindai Bluefin, Avocado, Tosazu, Shimeji
Langoustine, Foie Gras, Ginger, Cavolo Nero

• NV Ruinart Champagne Brut 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  An attractive, balanced, slightly floral, appetising NV Champagne... hard to put my finger on why I prefer this to (say) Laurent Perrier, but it's certainly pleasant to drink.

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Mussel, Tarragon, Aged Kaluga
Razor Clam, Coconut, Celery

• 2020 Matthiasson Chardonnay Linda Vista Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Magnum. It's Napa, but not as we know it... refreshing (just 12% ABV), stony, with the fruit spectrum towards lemon and yuzu rather than anything tropical - and no oak flavour at all. Acidity was well-integrated and the wine did not seem at all sharp or austere. Very modern, very drinkable.

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Pork Belly, Morel, Oyster, Pink Lady, Grain Mustard

• 2020 Presqu'ile Pinot Noir 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  A really lovely Pinot Noir, with a seductive nose, bright red/black fruit, a silky body and minerality to burn. Surprised to see this is so cheap to buy retail (£25), as it was superb.

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Duck Consomme, Voatsiperifery Pepper
Squab Pigeon, Chervil Root, Truffle, Yuzu, Foie Gras

• 2018 Clendenen Family Vineyards Nebbiolo Bricco Buon Natale 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

  Very pretty, and would be an excellent ringer for a tasting of Langhe Nebbiolos. Floral nose, sweetish red fruit, no tar or tannin to speak of. Maybe the better comparison is to Valtellina Rosso?! Either way, we enjoyed this, and it was a decent foil for the squab pigeon dish, but the Pinot we had just beforehand was quite a bit more exciting.

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Grapefruit, Basil Vanilla
Blood Orange, Sake Kasu, Arbequina

• 2019 Kiona Chenin Blanc Ice Wine 91 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

  From Washington State - first ice wine I've had not from Germany or Niagara. Honeyed, but not as sweet as those other ice wines have been (appropriately so, given it was paired with a citrus dessert), impressing with its charm and florality rather than its concentration.

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Dark Chocolate, Caviar, Creme Fraiche
Baba
Opera Cake

• 2018 Winery Stilianou Kotsifali 93 Points

  Greece, Crete, Heraklion

  Made with Kotsifali grapes in an appassimento style, but far brighter and more delicate than you might expect, at only 11.5% ABV and actually feeling quite refreshing. Despite that, the wine was still an excellent (and invigorating) match for our chocolate dessert, with lifted cherry fruit and hints of spice and prune.

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A nice selection of wines, especially the Pinot, but I felt a bit disappointed given they were described as 'premium'.