Dinner at Ray's; Older Burgs, Bordeaux and Italian

Vancouver, BC
Tasted Wednesday, April 25, 2007 by DelYap with 1,251 views

Introduction

Ten of us gathered at Ray Signorello's house for an incredible evening of food and wines. The Owner, Exec Chef, two sommeliers and staff from Quattro Restaurant showed up to prepare and serve this unbelievable meal.

Flight 1 - Canapé (1 Note)

Dungeness crab stuffed Tiger prawns, Moscato chive aioli
Kumamoto and Royal Miyagi oysters on the half shell

Flight 2 - First Course (2 Notes)

Baja scallop seared with a spring pea emulsion and saffron rock shrimp salad topped with Arctic Char caviar

Flight 3 - Second Course (2 Notes)

Citrus poached lobster claw with a quenelle of Parmesan cream and a lobster bisque

Flight 4 - Third Course (2 Notes)

Smoked Quail stuffed with Pecorino Romano polenta and a sundried fruit succo

  • 1985 Maison Leroy Chambertin 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin Grand Cru

    This started with a huge dirty barn yard nose. The first 30 minutes this wine was not great. After 30 minutes it got cleaner and was more enjoyable. After two hours it had completely fallen apart.

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  • 1978 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche 97 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, La Tâche Grand Cru

    The nose on this wine was incredible, cherries and asian spice. In the mouth this wine was indescribable for me. A well balanced wine.

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Flight 5 - Fourth Course (3 Notes)

Panko crusted Provini Sweetbreads with King Oyster mushroom risotto
Housemade ravioli filled with wild mushrooms, Mascarpone cheese and white truffle oil in a light Porcini cream

Flight 6 - Fifth Course (4 Notes)

Fallow Venison tenderloin with a sundried Blueberry and Juniper succo with Gorgonzola Potato gratin

  • 1975 Pétrus 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    This was really concentrated and took roughly 30 minutes in glass to really open up. Overall I was disappointed in this wine but only in comparison to what else was served before it. Still immature and not showing the silky mouthfeel that I look for in older Bordeaux.

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  • 1982 Château Mouton Rothschild 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    This wine is no where near ready for prime time. Anyone looking to drink well stored bottles, as this one was, should hold off for at least another 10 years. Still very powerful and really as I say it again too young. I should mention that Mouton is my least favorite first growth, but this vintage could change my mind.

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  • 1975 Château Mouton Rothschild 84 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Not enjoyable given the context of the evening. I got nothing but high acid low fruit and it just got worse as the wine sat in the glass. I was looking for a dump bucket.

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  • 1945 Château Sénéjac 82 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

    This was a well stored bottle having been acquired by Ray's father in the early 80's and not moved from the home cellar since. I found this wine lacking in everything but acid. What fruit there was disappeared in the first 20 minutes and then it started to fall apart. Nice for the experience, but short on the enjoyment.

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Flight 7 - Break Time (2 Notes)

We all needed a break prior to dessert and headed downstairs to play pool

  • 1989 Château Haut-Brion 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    This was from Ray's cellar and I know he likes it cold, but this wine was ridiculous. Acquired on release and stored since this wine tasted like it was bottled only a few years ago. Powerful wine full of cedar and tobacco notes. This didn't last long for the nose to really open up as we popped and poured.

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  • 1990 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 98 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    This wine defines laser like precision and was firing on all cylinders. It reminded me a bit of the 1996 Rockford SVS Moorooroo in that it was almost work to drink this wine. It was just so intense and delicious. This wine is still 20 years from being ready to drink although it is so sexy right now.

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Flight 8 - Dessert (2 Notes)

Almond souffle with honey Creme Anglaise
Chocolate pate with toffee and candied cocoa nibs

Assorted selection italian cheeses

  • 1967 Château d'Yquem 99 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    This was otherwordly and my WOTN. Incredible finish edging out the 1955 Biondi-Santi. On the palate caramel, nuts and honey. Just a crazy finish on this wine with silky mouthfeel.

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  • 1945 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage 90 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    This was all cough syrup on the nose and palate. This wine was really showing young and really did not seem to have developed any nuance.

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Closing

This was just an incredible evening that had only one downer. Ray throws an annual party at the conclusion of the local Wine Festival. This year he had over 200 guests at his home. One or more of these guests decided to help themselves to a magnum of 1985 Domaine de la Romanee Conti La Tache and several bottles of 1986 Chateau Margaux. He only discovered this fact when he went to fetch the 85 DRC for us to drink.

Note to any winos in Vancouver, if you hear of a magnum of 85 DRC La Tache or 86 Margaux being sold for cheap please let me know.

The best times are with great wine, food and most importantly friends!

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