French Laundry and Artisinal home cooking!

Home with Charmaine, Chas and Chris, Hong Kong
Tasted Saturday, March 4, 2006 by Wrighty with 538 views

Introduction

Having recently been given and bought the French Laundry and Artisinal cook books respectively it was time to whip something up from them. The evening was therefore more about the food than the wine but with 3.5 bottles of red, half a bottle of Port and a third of a bottle of Champagne used to make the food it was quite wine focused. Surprisinlgy the food wasn't as difficult as I had feared!

Flight 1 - Served with confit of Foie Gras on toast (1 Note)

NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée 89 Points

France, Champagne

Woody nose and a little bit dried out on the palate. Still complexe and lush champagne but the dry woodiness took the edge off it.

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Flight 2 - Served with Scallops and Salsify with a red wine butter sauce (1 Note)

Probably the best match. Had used a Dolcetta for the sauce but had my concerns about this course and the wine (as I have such limited Burgundy reference). The sauce went well with the food and Burgundy was the right wine although I'd prefer something with more body.

2002 Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier Chambolle-Musigny 89 Points

France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny

Recommended by Gallerie du Vin to go with the scallops. Light colour but plenty of fruit including strawberries and rasberries. Laking a little body but had well integrated tannin and acidity. Went well with the food but not a great wine.

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Flight 3 - Served with a Daube of Short Ribs with cumin glazed carrots and celariac puree (1 Note)

Even if I say so myself, the beef was fantastic. The marinade/stock/sauce cooked down with the beef extract to somthing like marmite and then only 8 tablespoons were used so plent left for gravy another time. The problem was that the Hermitage didn't stand up to the beef, a little to refined and light probably. I almost went with a 97 Chateau d'Ampius which would probably have been a better choice - next time.

1996 M. Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne 90 Points

France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

Showing a red brick colour with a mature nose. Palate was a little light and I guess this is on it's way down although still a refined elegant wine.

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Flight 4 - Served with a Terrin of Champagne and Strawberries (1 Note)

Was tempted to serve a champagne with this but the addition of a little sugar in the terrine meant we took the right option and had a dessert wine. The terrine was light and delicate which paired very well with the wine. Another good combo for the evening.

1997 Tempus Two Sémillon Botrytis 91 Points

Australia, New South Wales, Hunter Valley

Golden colour but surprisingly young nose and palate, with notes of apricot. Well balanced medium finish.

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Closing

A great night, all the food worked our pretty well but the wines might have missed the mark a little, which considering they weren't everyday wines must say something about the food.