"Fairwell Summer, Welcome Autumn" Wine Cellar & Al Fresco Dinner Party
La Jolla, California
Tasted Saturday, September 21, 2013 by La Cave d'Argent with 732 views
Introduction
To bid adieu to the summer and embrace the upcoming fall season, we celebrated with some of our dearest friends at our home. The evening began with the first course in the wine cellar ("La Cave d'Argent"), progressed to the backyard and concluded in the living room. What a great excuse it was to enjoy great wine, great food and great people!
Flight 1 - Tuna Tartare with Rosemary Sea Salt Crackers and Cucumbers (2 Notes)
Strolling down the cellar stairway with flutes of Dom Perignon, we enjoyed the first course with the bubbly. A perfect match indeed! Shortly thereafter, the Corton-Charlemagne was opened and proved to be an equally impressive accompaniment.
Flight 2 - Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese, Beets, Almonds and Avocado (with Balsamic Dressing) (2 Notes)
The party progressed to dining al fresco in the backyard on a beautiful, balmy evening. The salad was delicious. With a balsamic dressing, one would typically think that wine would not be able to hold its own. This was not the case, as the two Napa Chardonnays showed nicely.
Flight 3 - Grilled Prime New York Strip Steak with Chimichuri Sauce; Slate-Grilled Diver Scallops with Sun Dried Tomato Pesto; Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Shitake Mushrooms; Tomato, Zuccini and Eggplant Terrine (with Panko Romano Crust) (5 Notes)
The New York steaks were (fortunately for this chef) grilled to perfection and the side dishes were superbly crafted. The gorgeous fresh scallops were nicely seared using a slate technique which Eric Ripert has used for porterhouse steaks (http://goo.gl/iSuwP8). While I have tried this same technique for various types of steaks, I prefer to grill steak directly over the flame. But oh how that slate technique works for scallops!!!
Flight 4 - Apple Pear Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream (1 Note)
This delicious dessert was enjoyed in the living room, pairing beautifully with the Rieussec.
Closing
Most oenophiles would agree that the biggest benefit to collecting wine is that it can be shared with close friends. On evenings such as this, I am reminded of how much I enjoy my hobby!
1995 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon 94 Points
France, Champagne
Medium-to-deep golden and still sporting a brisk tiny bead, this Champagne has developed significant complexity as it has matured. The nose shows notes of nutmeg, kiwi, brioche, almonds and baked apples. Medium-bodied and vibrant on the palate, it presents similar flavors in a crisply acidic frame. Solid in the middle and long on the finish, this is an outstanding Dom which (assuming well-cellared) should continue to drink nicely for another 5-7 years. Drink now-2020.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2005 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne 96 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
Tasted from a pristinely-cellared bottle provided by our ultra-magnanimous friends, the Campbells. Medium-to-deep gold and immediately expressive of complex aromas, this vibrant beauty is a wine to behold. Stone fruits, wet stones, spiced apple and beeswax jump out of the glass and do not let go. With crisp acidity and well-integrated alcohol (listed as 13.5%), similar flavors are presented in a medium-bodied frame. Layered throughout the middle and long in the finish, this Corton-Charlemagne flirts with perfection. Those fortunate enough to be holding well-cellared bottles will be handsomely rewarded! Drink now-2018.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No