Dinner at Tableaux

Tableaux (Tokyo)
Tasted Saturday, January 22, 2005 by jrufusj with 648 views

Introduction

At a dinner of nine people, each ordering different items off the menu.

QbA with appetizers (mine was lobster spring roll with buttery avacado foam and asian spice).
ABC for non-riesling drinkers and with some mains.
Zin with appropriate mids and mains (mine were 1/2 order very gamy wild boar spaghettini and full plate of venison loin medallions).

Flight 1 (3 Notes)

  • 2002 Egon Müller Riesling QbA Scharzhof

    Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

    Light, bright yellow, with maybe the slightest greenish tinge. Good ripe nose of pear, lime, and orange, maybe a little slone/flint, along with a touch of honey. Rich mouthfeel, with clear residual sugar, but well balanced by nice zing of very lemony acidity. Lightly flavored palate of apple and nectarine fruit. Not complex, relatively light despite RS, but stood up well to the asian-influenced lobster spring rolls. Simple, but very good quality for QbA.

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  • 1998 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

    Fairly rich yellow gold, with good viscosity. Slightly lighter at rim, but not materially. Immediately expressive nose showing oak elements, but well combined with light roasted nut and baked apple, a little butter as well. With a little more time, some more tropical-type fruit came out, along with a little honey. On the palate, immediate impression is of good balance, with oak well integrated into acid and apple/pear fruit. Rich and a little lanolin-like in feel, but supported by enough acid to avoid cloying. Nice sustained finish of baked apple, pumpkin spice, and butter. Holding up well, but clearly ready to drink. Don't imagine there's anything more to gain by waiting.

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  • 1998 Gary Farrell Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Has lost its youthful purple tones, moving into a garnet red, with slight brickish hints at the edge. Nose shows slightly tart (but not green) berry fruit, with some dustiness and maybe a little bit of leather. With a few minutes time (not much), a little pepper and smoke come out. Palate shows very little evidence of remaining tannin, fruit more in the plum and raspberry range, with reasonable balance...decent body, but not excessive alcohol and both acid and tannin in the background. Wasn't complex or challenging and didn't evolve greatly, but had enough structure and enough earth/leather to stand up well to the gamey dishes it accompanied. Perfectly enjoyable and a very good choice off the restaurant list.

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