Dinner with Friends
FMIII in the OC
Tasted October 21, 2012 by brigcampbell with 761 views
Introduction
What a terrific evening! Format was simple yet brilliant. Each couple brings a course and two wines paired with their selection. The good doctors are always gracious hosts and are masters of putting interesting people, food, and wine together in a room and watching the sparks fly. This time was no exception. It's too easy to fill a room with cork dorks and the evenings conversations are highjacked by wine talk. Not this crowd, too many people with varying interests and insight to be pigeon holed. You can tell the night went well because everyone was laughing and nobody wanted to be the first to leave. Bravo.
Flight 1 - Warm up (3 notes)
The calm before the storm. A few of us tasted a couple of wines as the first course was prepared and others eagerly awaited the official start to a fantastic evening.
White - Sparkling
2002 Henri Goutorbe Champagne Grand Cru Brut Millésimé
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Color is light golden. Bubbles are medium/+ size and there is a foamy texture. The nose is like walking into a French bakery, very strong aromas of fresh baked bread. The bread flavor only intensifies when tasted but much more similar to sour dough. Mouthfeel and finish is light/medium.
White
2006 St. Innocent Chardonnay Anden
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Good nose of citrus, very clean. Razor sharp acid from the attack to the finish, I like it. Fruit profile is lemon and lime zest. Mid palate shows a touch of oak which adds to the excellent complexity. Showing very youthful at this point, fresh as the day it was bottled. Nice wine.
Red
2006 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Special Selection Seven Springs Vineyard
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
This was the last wine of a long and enjoyable evening and I was chatting with friends more than paying attention to this wine. Overall, very nice. Lighter fruit profile than I expected and in the vein of a burg. I can understand the old guard really appreciating this wine. Age worthy.
Flight 2 - Squash and Champagne (2 notes)
Wow, this wins for best presentation. A beautifully roasted squash, marcona almonds, burrata cheese, and drizzle of aged balsamic 
Flight 3 - Shrimp Salad & Chardonnay (2 notes)
Cooked shrimp on a bed of mixed greens, mushrooms, honey mustard dressing, all housed in an edible cheese basket 
White
2010 Poe Wines Chardonnay Ferrington Vineyard
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Golden color. Sweet tree fruit nose. Palate shows classic California Chardonnay and lemon then wraps a fair amount of Carmel heading into the finish. Won't be confused for a Chablis, that's ok because it paired perfectly with the parmigiana bowl holding the salad. Awesome combination.
Flight 4 - Butternut Squash Lasagna & Red and White (2 notes)
Roasted squash in layers of bechamel, cheese, and pasta 
White
2010 Bodegas Avancia Godello Blanco
Spain, Galicia, Valdeorras
Hey, sometimes you get it right. I picked this wine because I wanted something off the reservation for a group of knowledgeable wine friends. Glad this held its own with full flavor profile that seems to encompass multiple varietals although it's not a blend. Pear, apple, lemon, mixed roasted nut, and real weight on the palate. Fruit forward and doesn't let up through the finish. Definitely repurchase and great QPR.
Red
2007 Arcadian Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Similar to the previous tasting 5 months ago. Muted cherry and dark plum fruit. Didn't get any yummy funk nose, opened for a couple of hours before serving.
Sunday, June 17, 2012 - Wine is coming along nicely. Beginning to add addition levels of complexity, primarily burg style characteristics such as a leather note on the finish and forest floor. It's quite approachable at this point in time with a 6 hour decant.
Flight 5 - Baked Salmon & Pinot Noir (2 notes)
Salmon swimming in dill, green onions, and herbs with mixed potatoes encrusted with herbs 
Red
2010 Walter Hansel Winery Pinot Noir Hansel Family Vineyards
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
This was a good contrast to the Kite. Arguably more reserved but still dark fruit driven but not sloppy, there is enough acid to hold it all together. As mentioned, not the typical profile associated with Anderson Valley. I really enjoyed this wine.
Red
2009 Black Kite Pinot Noir Kite's Rest
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Lots of moving parts here, nothing bashful regarding this wine. Dark fruit nose. Palate is dark cherry and spice. Medium finish.
Flight 6 - Ravioli with Marinara & Burgundy (2 notes)
Large ravioli with homemade red sauce with sausage 
Red
2003 Mongeard-Mugneret Echezeaux
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru
Interesting, you'd probably never guess this as grand cru burg unles they told you the vintage. Very ripe plum but not quite prune. Dusty hints hiding in the background.
Flight 7 - Flourless Chocolate Cake & Petite Sirah (2 notes)
Need I say anything... A picture is worth a thousand words. 
Red
2000 Turley Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
Whoa, lots of barnyard here. Severe case of brett. I'm calling the bottle flawed based on the very positive notes from other respected authors. Personally very disappointed as a PS lover and always wanting to try this wine.
Red
2005 Switchback Ridge Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley
Very tasty wine and another classic. Good PS fruit flavors, you can feel the power. A young buck at this point with the structure to make it last. Beautifully paired with a chocolate dessert, something about blue fruit and rich chocolate does the trick for me.
Closing
A night to remember for the good people paired with nice food and wine.
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