A Particularly Pleasant Dinner Out with Dear Friends

Craft Century City
Tasted Sunday, June 9, 2013 by JonnyG with 479 views

Introduction

Stuck in LA as a bachelor for one night, I was thrilled to learn that my favorite Bay Area couple would be in town and wanted to get dinner together. Kudos to Craft for superb ambiance, flawless service and an evident passion for wine, from the stemware to the graciously shared treasures.

Flight 1 (6 Notes)

NV Ployez-Jacquemart Champagne Extra Quality Brut 89 Points

France, Champagne

A glass of bubbly compliments of the house to get things rolling. I found this to be a bit weightier than I usually prefer, but I appreciated the evident pinot characteristics and generous dose of yeasty zestiness. Went well with the halibut crudo amuse bouche.

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2011 Liquid Farm Chardonnay White Hill 90 Points

USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

Purchased from the restaurant's wine list to pair with our raw seafood starters, this was my first bottle since a taste at the release party earlier this year. Consistent with my recollection, this is a bit more austere than the 2010, really well balanced and crisp. The acidity makes it a better pairing for most food than the Golden Slope. Underlying citrus and tropical notes complement the steely notes.

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2003 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Viña Gravonia 90 Points

Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

Enticing depth and complexity, with the oxidization driving a distinctly nutty aspect alongside vanilla and a touch of petrol. I love the waxy creaminess of this fawell made white Rioja, coneding that it is not for everyone.

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2004 Sine Qua Non Into the Dark 97 Points

USA, California, Central Coast

From a 750 graciously brought by my companions, who purchased it on release. Decanted for an hour, though it hardly needed it. The bouquet was so potent it was as if the wine demanded to emerge from the glass. Notes of sweet balsamic, soy and dark cherry. Pepper, anise and huge black fruit on the palate. Visualize some warm childhood imagery of velvety syrup being drizzled slowly and generously onto homemade pancakes, so that the liquid folds pile onto one another before merging into one seamless helping -- this is the best way I can express the wine's depth, concentration and layered complexity in the mouth. A powerhouse, yet the alcohol never showed. Clearly superior to the 2004 Ode to E I enjoyed a few months back, hence my first ever 97 point accolade. Well done! I should add that the wine seemed to shut down a bit after an hour or so, suggesting there's no reason to hold on to any remaining bottles much longer.

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2010 Oro Puro Late Harvest

USA, California, Napa Valley

As this is made by my companions, I will not rate it, nor do I profess objectivity, hence just a brief note. For me, this is the best showing of Oro Puro yet. Lush, balanced and unctuous, with a real harmony of flavors and ample backbone to accompany a myriad of sweet and savory cheese and dessert accompaniments. The Craft staff are true believers. Worth seeking out, I promise.

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2010 Ojai Riesling Kick On 89 Points

USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

A final gift from the somm., servied from a 375. Quite vibrant, almost effervescent. The sweetiness sometimes seems to be more of an artifice than a byproduct of nature.

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