Gourmet Dinner #1- All American Summer Fare

A few Western Suburb members of the Chicago Wine Mafia decided to start a gourmet club and have rotating dinners. Dinner #1 was at our house so my wife picked the theme of All Amercan Summer Fare. Each of the couples brought a course and the hosts provided the meat (lamb in this case). In attendance were Anwar and Trigirl, Scubarex and his wife, Allred and Domino and my wife and I. The menu (I hope I get this right):

Appetizers (by the Scuba's)
Baked brie with an apricot, carmelized onion and nut compote
Aparagus and prosciuto in philo dough
Devilled eggs with feta cheese and calamata olives

Salad (by the Scuba's)
Beet salad over an almond butter
Bleu cheese bombolini's (Savory doughnut filled with bleu cheese)

Main Course (by Mrs. Vino Me)
Grilled rack of lamb marinated in soy, mustard, lemon and garlic (Lewelling recipe)

Side Dishes (by Anwar)
Duck fat hash browns
Green beans sauteed in bacon fat with shallots, bacon crumbles, lemon zest and parsley

Dessert (by Allreds)
Apricot and hazelnut torte

Everything was delicious. The weather cooperated so we were able to eat al fresco. For the wines, we stuck with an American theme representing 6 states (a few French wines were thrown in). Here are my notes:

• 2002 Stone Hill Blanc de Blancs 85 Points

  USA, Missouri

  This was surprisingly good when considering my expectations. Scubarex brought it to the dinner and we drank it with appetizers. Very bubbly. Sharp and crisp with notes of water crackers and fresh citrus. Somewhat lean over all with a short finish. 84-85 points.

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• 1989 J. Lassalle Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Flawed

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  My last bottle. This was a flawed bottle which showed some oxidation. Gold color with sherry, peanut and butterscotch notes. Over the hill and only a shodow of previous bottles. No score.

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• 2006 Hermann J. Wiemer Dry Riesling 89 Points

  USA, New York, Finger Lakes

  This was gift from a friend who lives in upstate New York. Opened before dinner as we sat in the backyard. This was an impressive Riesling from a producer who has a very good reputation. It had a unique sweet/sour component. Although labelled as dry it did have a touch of sweetness to it. Primarily apple notes. 88-89 points.

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• 2006 Black Star Farms Chardonnay Arcturos Sur Lie 90 Points

  USA, Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula

  Scubarex opened this bottle which he purchased on his recent trip to Northern Michigan. I haven't had a Black Star wine in probably 2 years. Always liked this winery and they have made some impressive wines. This was very good. Unoaked and made in a Chablis style. Crisp, clean and filled with lemon and apple notes. 89-90 points.

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• 1987 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Allred brought this 21 year old Cal Cab. It was showing very nicely. Medium red color. Notes of cherry soda, wet earth and some sour fruit on the finish. Fresh acidity. Right on par with the 1986 Forman that Allred opened a year or two ago. 90 points.

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• 1992 Matanzas Creek Winery Merlot Sonoma Valley 85 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  Second time I have had this. Allred opened this wine. This was not nearly as good as the bottle that I had in 2006. Good color to the wine. However, it had a light body and leathery texture. It had lost a lot of its fruit and was low in tannin. Not unpleasant. Just a little dull. 85 points.

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• 1988 Plam Cabernet Sauvignon 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This was one of the first red which we drank right before dinner. I have had this many times with consistent notes. A nice wine but nothing outstanding. 87 points.

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• 2003 Wyncroft Shou Avonlea Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, Michigan, Lake Michigan Shore

  I opened this bottle and tried it when first opened and again a couple hours later. Decanted for an hour and poured back into the bottle to sit for another hour. One of the best Michigan Reds I have had. Old world character. Earthy texture and a bit Chinon in style with green pepper nuances but not underripe. Just a touch of barnyard which blew off. Creamy red fruit notes with asphalt and pencil shaving aromas. 91-92 points.

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• 2001 Walla Walla Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard Select 93 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  This was a gift from Pinot Envy. I decanted it for 2 hours and we drank it with the lamb during dinner. Good match. WS gave this wine 94 points and I agree. Another od world styled wine. Notes of licorice, blackberry, cassis and spices. A well balanced wine with a long finish. 93 points.

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• 2003 Peay Vineyards Syrah Estate 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Anwar brought this and we drank it with the main course. A meaty Syrah. Medium to full bodied with chewy tannins. Notes of raw meat, pepper and currants. 91-92 points.

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• 1997 Ojai Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

  The oldest and lightest bodied of the Syrahs at this dinner. That was expected though based on its age. It was brought by Anwar. Drinking well and a little more elegant than the rest of the Syrah's. Notes of red berries, black pepper and black currants. Some spice on the finish. 91 points

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• 2005 Saxum Broken Stones 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Scubarex brought this wine. He did what he could to open it up by decanting but it still presented itself as a big and tannic wine that needs time. Sweet red and black fruit. Powerful tannins. Somewhat closed but loaded with potential. 90-93 points.

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• 1989 Château Suduiraut Flawed

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Allred brought a half bottle of this. Golden yellow color. Tropical notes with apricot and a creamy finish. However, this wine was a little off but I could put my finger on the reason. No score.

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• 1989 Château Rieussec 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Allred brought this bottle as a backup in case the Suduirraut was bad. Outstanding dessert wine. Golden color. Loaded with spicy botrytis. Full bodied. The sweetness was well balanced by acidity. Apricot notes. 94 points.

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• 2000 De Loach Gewürztraminer Late Harvest 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Scubarex brought this bottle. Could have passed for a low end German Beerenauslese. Mainly tropical fruits with some pineapple and peaches. Lighter bodied. 89 points.

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• 2003 Chateau VinoMe Vin de Noix The Last Curse

  USA, Illinois

  I hadn't opened one of these in a while so I cracked one open to let those daring enough to try it after dinner was over. Ahhhhh, the oily goodness of walnuts. A tootsie roll brown color. Very nutty and sweet but not overly so in my opinion. Holding up well. No score.

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VM