Important Update From the Founder

Birthday Bash with Most of the Family and Close Friends

Chez nous, Napa Yacht Club

Tasted March 5, 2010 by 1800kidney with 629 views

Introduction

After great anticipation and a wonderful series of menu/pairings exchanges with Gary Penir (the Genius http://www.cuisinegp.com/), the event started early and lasted late!

Flight 1 - Apertivo (2 notes)

Wonderful Bacalao Bruschetta with basil emulsion, served as the group was gathering with the sparklers! Gary hand-cured the cod himself

White - Sparkling

2002 Jose Dhondt Champagne Grand Cru Mes Vieilles Vignes Blanc de Blancs France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

90 points

Traditional send-off for major birthday events! brut-style, with the expected finesse and suppleness of a blanc de blancs.

Comment

White - Sparkling

2002 Marcel Moineaux Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

88 points

Crisp and clean, good acidity and a bit drier than the other Blanc de blancs served first

Comment

Flight 2 - Wonderful Asparagus Soup (1 note)

Green Asparagus Soup with cream/stock. At the last minute, Gary choose to serve this warm with the cold Dungeness crab and shaved asparagus-frisée served as a float

White

2000 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

92 points

Classic Chablis...steely minerality is softening, and luschious richness coming through, perfect pairing with the asparagus soup and halibut

Comment

Flight 3 - Halibut Poached to Perfection (0 notes)

Alaskan Halibut, sesame seed crust with preserved Meyer Lemon, Israeli Couscous..continued with the Raveneau Chablis

Flight 4 - Filet Mignon (2 notes)

Perfect choice to highlight the Cabernets. Entire loin was slowed cooked and finished on the grill, terrific Ponzu reduction with Robuchon potatoes and Cripy Egg surprise!

Red

1997 Ravenswood Pickberry USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain

92 points

60% Merlot 35% Cabernet 5% Cabernet Franc; this is a terrific bottle, beautifully integrated, merlot-based but plenty of structure and complexity..great fruity presence with long finish...hint of anise in the finish

Comment

Red

1997 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cépages USA, California, Sonoma County

92 points

Robust Bordeaux style blend; deep and complex fruit with deep currents, and blackberries and cassis, deep color and long finish...at its peak now

Comment

Flight 5 - Artisanal Cheeses (2 notes)

Three cheeses presented, along with dates, honey and almonds: Abbey d’Belloc semi-hard; St. Agur bleu; Affinois brie. Perfect choice for the Pièces de Résistance!

Red

1945 Jean Bourdy Côtes du Jura Rouge France, Jura, Côtes du Jura

90 points

Haunting bottle of wine...a "slice of history". The cork was brand new, marked 07-09, so must have been recorked at the winery before it was shipped to Seattle. Color was almost translucent with browning at the edges. No funk, and the delicate fruit flavors floated out of the glass...rhubarb noted in the midpalate

Comment

Red

1945 Château Lynch-Bages France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

88 points

Major barnyard funk up front but it blew off. This was estate-bottled, purchased in a Zachy Auction in 2003 for this event; perfectly stored since then, but who knows where it was before. The color was terrific, and the taste was full of cedar shavings and even tobacco, residual fruit was subdued

Comment

Flight 6 - Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red (1 note)

Followed the '45s and finished up the cheeses, deservedly a course of its own

Red

1997 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red USA, California, Napa Valley

96 points

Stunning bottle of wine, what a finale! The five grape varietals came from five vineyards in the Napa Valley; Spring Mountain, Howell Mountain, Soda Canyon, Wooden Valley and Carneros: Cabernet Sauvignon: 73%, Cabernet Franc: 2%, Merlot 17%, Malbec: 1%, Petit Verdot: 7%.
This is a stunning bottle of wine, great presence, mid-palate and long long finish; deep color and complex purple fruits..boysenberry, cassis

Comment

Flight 7 - Bread Pudding! (1 note)

Pink Lady Apple with Bread Pudding Balsamic Caramel; thin slices (mandolin) of the Pink Lady served cocked on the side...

White - Sweet/Dessert

2005 Domaine des Forges Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru

92 points

Lovely late harvest chenin blanc, wonderful fruit presence, was perfect match for the Pink Ladies! 2005 was one of those incredible growing seasons where passerillage was prominent, a condition where the sun shrivels and dries the grapes, giving a clean, massive style that is incredibly intense. Honeyed fruits, apples and pears..luscious

Comment

Closing

What a grand evening, true to form, I am feeling in much better shape than the '45 selections that were served! Dinner was elegant and the wines were simply divine. Thanks again to Gary Penir and his noble side-kick Ken. Delighted to be joined in all this fun by Betty, Erin and Neil, Amy, John and Dorothy, Sue and Michael, David L. and Dee, Matt and Julie, Sean and Judy, Chris and Lorna, and of course Will and Jack! The finale (Grande, Grande) was just perfect

Birthday Bash with Most of the Family and Close Friends

Chez nous, Napa Yacht Club

Introduction

Flight 1 - Apertivo (2 notes)

Flight 2 - Wonderful Asparagus Soup (1 note)

Flight 3 - Halibut Poached to Perfection (0 notes)

Flight 4 - Filet Mignon (2 notes)

Flight 5 - Artisanal Cheeses (2 notes)

Flight 6 - Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red (1 note)

Flight 7 - Bread Pudding! (1 note)

Closing

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