French Laundry Dinner

Dinner was amazing. A singular meal, truly. Below are the wines that were paired with my entrees.

Some of the wines I enjoyed aren't in CT and I have not been able to verify the wine names so I don't want to enter them. Given that I also don't have much to say about them, I'll just list them here: 'Pierre Giuonnet, Brut, 1er Cru, NV' and 'Vare Vineyards, Ribolla Gialla, Napa, 2004'. The 2nd wine was interesting. I might try another Ribolla Gialla some day to see what if I like it.

• 2002 Domaine Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Clos du Bourg

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

  This was okay, but I'm more and more convinced that Vouvrey isn't really my thing. I think Sauternes and Auslese pair better with salty, intense Fois Gras dishes, also. (not enough experience with Vouvray to score)

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• 2001 Robert Sinskey Vineyards Pinot Noir Vandal Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  This was a good Pinot, but not that exciting to me by itself. Funky nose, fruit on the palate. Good, biting acidty. The pairing of this with my lobster dish was very cool, one of those rare, harmonious, "2+2=10" pairings. The two really worked together on the palate and I was left with a very smooth, pleasant cherry finish.

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• 1989 Bert Simon Serriger Würtzberg Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 89 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Good, but nothing special. Didn't have the cool older flavor that the Donnhoff I tried at the German tasting in San Jose. Sweet, fruit and some mineral.

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• 2003 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  This was really good. Thick, unctuous fruit and... something else. Interesting. Paired very well with the rare wagyu beef. NOTE: my bottle was further labelled "Cuvee Unique". (not enough experience with CndP to score)

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• 2001 Bodegas Olivares Jumilla Dulce Monastrell 91 Points

  Spain, Murcia, Jumilla

  A late harvest wine rather than a fortified wine, this was very concentrated, very sweet, and very ripe. Plummy, pruney, raisiny. Different from anything I've had before. Would definately like to buy some to try again. Didn't feel it did anything for the desert, but was good in it's own right.

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