| | Champagne Trilogy of Tuna - Tuna Tartare, Togarashi-Crusted Tuna, Seared Tuna Drizzled with Hot Sesame Oil - N.V. Camille Saves Champagne Brut Grand Cru Rosé - France, Champagne
Excellent with the tuna appetizers. Complex yet easy to drink with notes of cinnamon, strawberries, cranberries, and lemon peel. Refined and distinctive. (91 pts.)
- N.V. Laurent-Perrier Champagne Grand Siècle Brut - France, Champagne
Tasted from a magnum. A notable Champagne, remarkable for its power and grace. Notes of lemon curd, crushed stones, pie crust, and toast. Impressive for its intensity of flavor as well as its long finish. 92-93 points. (92 pts.)
Whites Soup and Sandwich - Vichyssoise and Croque Monsieur - 2006 Pax Nepenthe Alder Springs Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
Not the most auspicious way to begin a wine dinner. Smoke and roasted nuts dominate the nose. The palate similarly contains toasted hazelnuts with some traces of lemon pulp and wet stones. Low acidity makes the wine a little heavy and plodding. (83 pts.)
- 2006 Copain Roussanne James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
A harmonious melange of beeswax, white flowers, honeydew melon, and buttercream. Round on the palate, yet also quite light on its feet. Nice! 89-90 points. (89 pts.)
- 2007 L'Aventure Roussanne - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
This wine seems to have improved since the last time I tried it. Double decanted for 30 minutes and then kept open in the refrigerator for a hour. Waxy and stony on the nose with a delicate thread of lemon pulp, pink grapefruit, and fresh peaches. Nice acidity. 87-88 points. (88 pts.)
- 2007 Jemrose Viognier Egret Pond - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley
Opens with a flashy nose of bubble gum, canned peaches, and crushed stones. More understated on the palate with delicate notes of mandarin oranges and fresh apricots followed by a mineral driven finish. (88 pts.)
- 2007 Melville Viognier Estate Verna's - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
This wine was just the opposite of the Jemrose. Understated aromas of unripe peaches, fresh apricots, and white flowers. Full and opulent on the palate with ripe lychee fruit, lemon custard, and a touch of flint. (87 pts.)
Pinot Noir Pan-Roasted Salmon - Apple Cider Saffron Reduction on a Bed of Roasted Vegetables and Arugula - 2007 Spell Pinot Noir Weir Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands
Warm notes of ripe black cherries, strawberry jam, and vanilla. Muscular and fleshy on the palate with good acidity but a slightly astringent and hot finish. 87-88 points. (87 pts.)
- 2007 Spell Pinot Noir Barton Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
In contrast to the Weir Vineyard, this wine exhibits cool notes of plum skin, loamy soil, forest floor, pine, and minerals. The use of whole cluster is more evident here than in the Weir. Complex and should reward time in the cellar. 89-90 points. (90 pts.)
Syrah - North Coast Filet Mignon - Grilled Filet Mignon with Spaghetti Squash and Puttanesca Sauce - 2006 Shane Syrah Valenti Ranch - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Rich and savory, boasting notes of of blackberries, black plums, coconut, dark chocolate, mixed peppercorns, and black olives. Racy acidity and a grippy finish. Drinking well now, but could certainly use some some more time in the cellar. 90-91 points. (90 pts.)
- 2007 Shane Syrah Valenti Ranch - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Rich and creamy in texture with opulent notes of blueberries, blackberries, black plums, and vanilla. While drinking nearly at the same level as the 2006 right now, I suspect that it will surpass the aforementioned in a year. 90+ points. (90 pts.)
- 2007 Shane Syrah The Villain - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
A little Aussie in character (in a good way) with plush notes of blueberries, plum compote, lava rocks, and crushed minerals. Harmonious on the palate with a rich yet lithe texture. This wine just kept getting better in the glass. My Shane WOTN. 91-92 points. (92 pts.)
Syrah - Sonoma County Lamb Chops - Blackberry Syrah Essence, Celeriac and Yukon Gold Puree, Carrots - 2006 Shane Syrah The Unknown - USA, California, Sonoma County
Cool aromas of blackberries and lava rocks. On the palate, notes of red plums, cassis, crushed minerals, and vanilla. Smooth in texture. (89 pts.)
- 2007 Shane Syrah The Unknown - USA, California, Sonoma County
Notes of blackberries, violets, dark chocolate, and pomegranate with some white pepper on the finish. Bright in texture with a racy acidity. Slightly astringent on the finish. 88+ points. (88 pts.)
- 2006 Shane Syrah Jemrose Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley
Notes of blackberry, pomegranate, red currants, white pepper, and crushed minerals. Racy acidity and a tad astringent. (87 pts.)
- 2007 Shane Syrah Jemrose Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley
Notes of pomegranate, red plums, cassis, and crushed minerals. High in acidity. 88+ points. (88 pts.)
Dessert Crème Brulee - 2003 Château La Tour Blanche Sauternes - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Needed decanting but wonderfully delicious and decadent nonetheless. Notes of honey, candied walnuts, and dried apricots. Rich on the palate yet smooth and delicate in texture. Long, long finish. Lovely stuff! 92-93 points. (92 pts.)
|
