Tasting the New Fall Menu with thelostverse

TLV and I played golf with the Club's general manager and head bartender Saturday afternoon and during cocktails afterwards, they mentioned that the fall menu would be debuting Tuesday night. They also mentioned that one of my favorite things- sweetbreads- would be on the new menu. We made plans to have dinner and celebrate the debut of the new menu. In attendance were Domino and I and thelostverse and his daughter, who is developing a terrific palate.

As we had already tasted the new foie gras and marrow bone dish the week before for Miss tlv's birthday dinner, we decided to pass and check out some of the other new items.

Prawns with Squash, bacon, cannellini beans.
Fresh oysters- while not a new item, tonight they featured Beausoleil, one of my favorites.
The dish of the night for me, Sweetbreads with braised artichokes, pea puree, thyme, port reduction.

• 1999 Kalin Cellars Pinot Noir Cuvée DD 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  A little cloudy- lots of very fine sediment was stirred up during travel to the restaurant. Perfumed bouquet with cherries, rose petals, cranberry and more florals. Light on the palate, with sour cherries and dusty earth tones. Rounded out a bit as it sat. The palate leaves a little to be desired, but I could have buried my nose in the glass all night. Pretty.

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• 2005 Ridge Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains 91 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  I brought this along because I thought it would have the richness to pair with sweetbreads, and I was not wrong.
  
  Deep golden color, appears very advanced. Notes of toast, butterscotch, roasted caramel apple, quince and fog with a toasted marshmallow note too. Baked apple, marshmallow and fig notes on the palate, with a subtle hazelnut tone. 91 on its own, a couple of points better paired with the sweetbreads, this made for a perfect match.

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• 1999 Kalin Cellars Sémillon Flawed

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley

  Has a subtle smoky note that I associate with Kalin's Semillon, bbut there's also a slight acetone aroma. Nothing to speak of on the midpalate or finish.

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• 2004 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Viña Gravonia Flawed

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Corked.

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Confit Duck, roasted cauliflower and Brussel sprouts, hazelnuts, carrot raisin puree, duck demi.
Beer Braised Short Ribs, swiss chard, roasted sweet potato risotto, plum sauce.
Veal Saltimbocca Tortellini, house made pasta, ground veal, sage, prosciutto, Alfredo sauce.
Rainbow Trout, zucchini, bacon lentils, crawfish, red wine sauce, crystal lettuce.

• 2012 Chakana Estate Selection Red Blend 92 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo

  This started out a bit hot, but developed aromas of lavender, blue fruit, vanilla and florals. Full-bodied with firm sweet tannin and flavors of black and blue fruits, vanilla and oak spice. There's a lot of wood here, but a lot of fruit as well. I think time will reveal a very nice wine. Thank you TLV!

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• 1999 Siduri Pinot Noir Christian David Sonoma Coast Flawed

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Corked.

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A strange night in terms of having three flawed bottles, but I have to admit, we were long overdue. I am actually glad that we got 'em out of the cellar in one casual evening, rather than have them show up during a more formal or special dinner.