New Year's Eve 2005

Cafe La Haye, Sonoma
Tasted Saturday, December 31, 2005 by xwine with 747 views

Introduction

Estella and I closed out 2005 with Mark, JoAnn, Toni and Tim at Cafe La Haye -- it was wonderful!

Flight 1 - Bubbly Time at Mark and JoAnn's! (1 Note)

A wonderful assortment of mild goat cheeses and a Champignon brie to accompany the Roederer l'Ermitage at Mark and Jo Ann's house.

  • 1997 Roederer Estate L'Ermitage Brut

    USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

    Started off the evening with a magnum of this, courtesy of Mark and Jo Ann. Fine and persistent stream of bubbles. Very nice doughy, toasty nose -- elegant. Palate lean and elegant, perhaps just a tad short. Very nice bubbly!

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Flight 2 - First Course (2 Notes)

Three of us had the baby potato pancakes topped with Osetra caviar and creme fraiche, and three of us had the Maine lobster-avocado-tarragon timbale with roasted meyer lemon vinaigrette. I opted for the lobster which was simply fantastic. Beautiful balance of richness and delicacy, the meyer lemon vinaigrette proved the perfect foil to the lobster and avocado. Tasted Estella's potato pancakes, which were sublime.

  • 2004 Etude Pinot Gris

    USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

    Second wine of the evening, purchased from the La Haye list. Spicy and floral, very expressive nose. Forward and inviting on the palate, with nice balance of fruit and acidity. Fell short only in the company of the other wines this evening.

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  • 1999 Domaine Vincent et Francois Jouard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot Les Fairendes

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

    Showing some oak on the nose and palate, with very substantial fruit behind it. Fairly tightly wound, it didn't begin to reveal its voluptuousness until my glass was just about empty. Paired very well with the Maine lobster-avocado-tarragon timbale. Wait another year or two for the next bottle.

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Flight 3 - Second Course (1 Note)

Salad of endive with baby chiogga beets, pomegranate, toasted hazelnuts and shaved Vella Mezzo Secco cheese in citrus vinaigrette. Mmmmmmm -- beets -- yummy!

  • 2002 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros

    France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

    Oh my! The perfect example of why I love chablis. This has such lovely balance, precision and focus, it's hard to stop sniffing and sipping. Evolved very nicely in the glass. Lemon meringue with a certain crisp yet creamy quality.

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Flight 4 - Main Course (2 Notes)

I went for the Liberty duck breast with huckleberry sauce, kabocha squash-sage tian and braised cipollini onion. This put me in duck heaven -- what a dish! Paired beautifully with the pinots. Estella opted for the seared black pepper-lavender filet mignon with gorgonzola-potato gratin -- a standard Cafe La Haye dish, which never disappoints.

  • 2001 Whitethorn Winery Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard

    USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

    Wouldn't have guessed this was Carneros pinot. Spicy and elegant, yet has a nice subtle power. Tad bit of alcohol shows on the nose. Delicious.

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  • 2003 Roar Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

    Wow! A real winner, courtesy of Toni and Tim. While the Whitethorn was a lovely wine, this one stood above it. Quite rich and full, but without being overdone. Dark fruit, with very nice balance.

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Flight 5 - Dessert

Estella had a beautifully refreshing blood orange sorbet -- a real winner! My choice was the buttermilk panna cotta with poached pears -- sublime!

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