Riverain Winemakers Dinner with Steve Nordoff

FMIII in the OC
Tasted Sunday, October 4, 2015 by brigcampbell with 676 views

Introduction

That's chef Alex and do you think she loves cooking? She has almost as much fun as we do and she never leaves the kitchen. She knows a lot about wine and now teaches at a local university. Denfinitly has the magic touch when it comes to culinary arrangements.

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The Master of Cermonies and his court.

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Just of few of the participants.

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Flight 1 - Bubbles for the appetizers (1 Note)

Procuitto wrapped melon balls with mint
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Caviar Tacos
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Crab Cakes with Tartar Sauce
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Flight 2 - Blind Wines by Ryan - The Spectrum of Chennin Blanc (4 Notes)

Ryan generously provided all the whites and decided to serve them blind. OK! I'll play along. What a humbling experience as he brought 4 bottles of Chennin Blanc from different producers with wildly contrasting styles. Interestingly all the producers are fairly close to each other geographically. I went 1 for 4 but thought I had nailed them all, sorry Charlie.

Burrata with Heirloom Tomatos
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Spicy Thai Prawns
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  • 2012 Château de Brézé Saumur Clos de la Rue

    France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur

    Blind. Guessed Chennin correctly. Very light color, medium + acidity with a lemon fruit core. Wine has a touch of honeycomb.

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  • 2012 Thibaud Boudignon Savennières Les Fougeraies

    France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières

    Blind. Wrestled between a Chennin or lean Chablis. Ultimately went for a Chablis because the ripping acid through the backbone of the wine and the fruit profile. Lean stone fruit and lemon rind flavors.

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  • 2010 Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Blanc Clos des Carmes Brézé

    France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur

    Blind. Riesling or Grenache Blanc... It was a coin toss, however futile, and chose GB. Damn it. Yellow colored with a heavy bronze already, I would have guessed a 20 year old wine. Nose is oily and a little diesel which was not distracting to me. Pineapple and nectarine fruit flavors with wet stone and medium plus acidity. Great complexity.

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  • 2007 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur Blanc Brézé

    France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur

    Blind. Guessed white burg and felt VERY good about it too. Medium yellow color. The nose is the master of deception because there's a good dose of sulphur, flint, and burnt match. Gotta be a burg! Light fruit flavors. I thought this was extremely intriguing and complements the extreme spectrum of diversity in Chennin.

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Flight 3 - Syrah and Pasta (3 Notes)

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  • 2011 Riverain Syrah Cardiac Hill Bennett Valley

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

    This continues to be my favorite Syrah. Dead ringer for a Northen Rhone. Incense, olive, sage, charcoal. If you like lots of moving parts and wine that challenges you, then here you go. It's getting better with age. Good lord...

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  • 2012 Riverain Syrah Cardiac Hill Bennett Valley

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

    Dark black color. Nose shows a mushroom note. This seems less ripe than when I tasted last year. Fruit has integrated. The black olive is enthralling. The blood and iron flavors really show now, clearly. Sophisticated Syrah.

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  • 2013 Riverain Syrah Cardiac Hill Bennett Valley

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

    Blackberry and very noticeable red berry at the backend. Shows more chalk than the other vintages yet still has the charcoal that I enjoy. Chewy tannins and slightly riper style than the 2011 which is expected.

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Flight 4 - Hanger Steak and Cabernet Sauvignon (3 Notes)

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  • 2011 Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    Lighter of the three vintages. Cassis and pepper on the attack but a red berry note is lurking behind. Add some dark plum for good measure. This almost looks like a RRV Pinot. I like the leaner elegant showing.

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  • 2012 Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    Very dark plum color, certainly more concentration than the '11. Spicy palate of cassis, plum, and sandelwood. This was my favorite of the cab flight just because it had everything firing tonight.

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  • 2013 Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    Big hitter alert with this vintage, it screams Napa. 2013 berries were smaller and the structure reflects the higher skin ratio. The nose isn't even giving up much, palate is a bit astringent with a full dose of angular tannins. Fruit flavor is very dark currant and plum. This vintage has it all but needs a few more years to start unfolding. The drinking window could easily extend 20 years. The winemaker decision to hold back the release 6 months is wise, no reason to get greedy and open this too soon. Patience grasshopper.

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Flight 5 - Cheese for Dessert with an old Hungarian (1 Note)

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