San Francisco Wine & Food Society Dinner - Burgundy Grapes on a Sea Voyage

Waterbar, 399 Embarcadero, San Francisco
Tasted Monday, January 25, 2016 by Goldstone with 379 views

Introduction

A generous invite from Victor whist I was on a Bay Area business trip. What a great setting.....a super restaurant tucked under the Bay Bridge which was all lit up for Superbowl 50.

Flight 1 - Aperitif on the Terrace (2 Notes)

A really enjoyable pre-dinner Champagne

NV Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Brut Réserve 88 Points

France, Champagne

Very light in appearance. A high-toned and discreet nose. Fresh and refreshing on the palate.....more citrus than biscuit although there are elements of both. Nice resonant finish with some length. Very enjoyable.

Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2013 Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas Blanc 85 Points

USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

Straw coloured typical of a Rhone white wine. Nose is characterfully Viognier but with the other four varietals giving it some extra dimensionality. Some weight on the palate but lacking any complexity. Probably better with food than as an aperitif - I defaulted to the Champagne after a half-glass.

Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 2 - Octopus Salad: spicy winter radishes, yuzu kosho vinaigrette, grilled nishiki rice (1 Note)

The Shafer had just the right body to transcend the slightly spicy salad.

2009 Shafer Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch 92 Points

USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

Light lemon gold colour. Nose is subtle...white pear and white pear. Palate is much weightier than the nose would suggest but has a beautiful balance between ripe canteloupe melon, slight vanilla from the oak, fresh hazelnuts ending with a beautiful distinctive flinty minerality. No malo here, which keeps it on its toes. Head filling and resonant. Beautifully made. I loved this.

Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 3 - Roasted Maine Lobster with Bone Marrow in pearl onions & aged sherry (1 Note)

Great combination and a twist on the 'Surf & Turf' theme.

2009 Louis Latour Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Sous le Puits 90 Points

France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru

Yellow gold.....looks older. Nose is quiet.....not giving much, perhaps due to cold temperature. Palate is, oh, lovely.....crisp acidity of red apples, lots of almost flinty minerality. Very refined and crisp which helped it effortlessly cut through the slightly fatty bone marrow it was served with. Reasonable length but not as much as perhaps expected. My first experience of Sous le Puits, which is the highest elevation vineyard in Puligny-Montrachet and accounts for the minerality. Very enjoyable.

Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 4 - Steamed Black Cod: coconut green curry, stuffed delicata squash, manila clams (3 Notes)

Three interesting Pinots served side by side. I was seriously impressed by the Shea Estate Pinot Noir, especially as a value wine.

1999 Domaine / Maison Vincent Girardin Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets 90 Points

France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru

Opened for several hours before serving alongside a 2008 Shea Wine Cellars, Pinot Noir and a 2009 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir, Russian River. Lovely bright, dusky semi-transparent ruby colour. Nose is a pile of dirt....but lovely semi-damp dirt that tells you you are in Burgundy....hints of strawberry compote. Palate is bright, fresh, lots of strawberry and a really nice incense-oriented perfume. Nicely integrated but slightly tart acidity and a little dilute. Moderate length and no particular resonance.

Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2008 Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Estate Shea Vineyard 92 Points

USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

Opened for several hours before serving alongside a 1999 Vincent Girardin Volnay 1re Cru Les Caillerets and a 2009 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir, Russian River. No detailed notes but......delicate, poised, beautiful. Seriously impressive.

Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2009 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 83 Points

USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

Opened for several hours before serving alongside a 1999 Vincent Girardin Volnay 1er Cru Les Caillerets and a 2008 Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noir. Meh....too sweet and one-dimensional....heavily extracted....hard to recognise as Pinot Noir. I left the glass unfinished.

Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue