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"Fairwell Summer, Welcome Autumn" Wine Cellar & Al Fresco Dinner Party
La Jolla, California
Tasted September 21, 2013 by La Cave d'Argent with 660 views
Introduction
To bid adieu to the summer and embrace the upcoming fall season, we celebrated with some of our dearest friends at our home. The evening began with the first course in the wine cellar ("La Cave d'Argent"), progressed to the backyard and concluded in the living room. What a great excuse it was to enjoy great wine, great food and great people!
Flight 1 - Tuna Tartare with Rosemary Sea Salt Crackers and Cucumbers (2 notes)
Strolling down the cellar stairway with flutes of Dom Perignon, we enjoyed the first course with the bubbly. A perfect match indeed! Shortly thereafter, the Corton-Charlemagne was opened and proved to be an equally impressive accompaniment.
White - Sparkling
1995 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon
94 points
Medium-to-deep golden and still sporting a brisk tiny bead, this Champagne has developed significant complexity as it has matured. The nose shows notes of nutmeg, kiwi, brioche, almonds and baked apples. Medium-bodied and vibrant on the palate, it presents similar flavors in a crisply acidic frame. Solid in the middle and long on the finish, this is an outstanding Dom which (assuming well-cellared) should continue to drink nicely for another 5-7 years. Drink now-2020.
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White
2005 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne
96 points
Tasted from a pristinely-cellared bottle provided by our ultra-magnanimous friends, the Campbells. Medium-to-deep gold and immediately expressive of complex aromas, this vibrant beauty is a wine to behold. Stone fruits, wet stones, spiced apple and beeswax jump out of the glass and do not let go. With crisp acidity and well-integrated alcohol (listed as 13.5%), similar flavors are presented in a medium-bodied frame. Layered throughout the middle and long in the finish, this Corton-Charlemagne flirts with perfection. Those fortunate enough to be holding well-cellared bottles will be handsomely rewarded! Drink now-2018.
Flight 2 - Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese, Beets, Almonds and Avocado (with Balsamic Dressing) (2 notes)
The party progressed to dining al fresco in the backyard on a beautiful, balmy evening. The salad was delicious. With a balsamic dressing, one would typically think that wine would not be able to hold its own. This was not the case, as the two Napa Chardonnays showed nicely.
White
2010 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
92 points
Confirmatory of my 9/12/13 tasting, this medium gold wine has an intense nose of citrus peel, honeysuckle, white flowers and minerals. It is medium-bodied on the palate, with excellent minerality, crisp acidity and well-integrated alcohol (listed as 14.1%). Solid in the middle, it concludes in lengthy fashion. While certainly enjoyable now, it will likely show best with some short-term cellaring. Drink 2015-2020.
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White
2012 Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay
88 points
From a bottle kindly provided by the Bollingers, this medium yellow-gold Chardonnay exhibits the characteristics that make this wine so popular with those who appreciate its style. Ripe stone fruits, vanilla and toasted oak are wrapped in a full-bodied, round, buttery-textured frame. The alcohol (listed as 14.4%) remains in check and the middle palate is solid. The wine concludes with a lengthy, caramel-laden finish. While not the style of Chardonnay that I tend to prefer, there is no doubt that this is a well-made wine which will bring enjoyment to many. Drink now-2017.
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Flight 3 - Grilled Prime New York Strip Steak with Chimichuri Sauce; Slate-Grilled Diver Scallops with Sun Dried Tomato Pesto; Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Shitake Mushrooms; Tomato, Zuccini and Eggplant Terrine (with Panko Romano Crust) (5 notes)
The New York steaks were (fortunately for this chef) grilled to perfection and the side dishes were superbly crafted. The gorgeous fresh scallops were nicely seared using a slate technique which Eric Ripert has used for porterhouse steaks (http://goo.gl/iSuwP8). While I have tried this same technique for various types of steaks, I prefer to grill steak directly over the flame. But oh how that slate technique works for scallops!!!
Red
1999 Château Léoville Las Cases
92 points
This pristinely-cellared bottle was double-decanted, allowing three hours prior to funneling back into the cleaned bottle. Still opaque ruby in color, it continues to show cassis, pencil, cedar, mocha, earth and floral aromas. The wine is medium-to-full-bodied on the palate, with low-to-medium acidity, medium fine-grained tannins and flavors in line with the nose. The middle palate is solid and the medium-length finish is smooth. Remaining a standout for the vintage, this charming LLC should continue to please for several more years. Drink now-2020.
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Red
2000 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
95 points
Tasted from a pristinely-cellared bottle, this opaque crimson/ruby, dense and expansive wine flaunts aromas and flavors of bramble fruits, black olives, crushed rocks and licorice. Full-bodied, fresh and with well-integrated alcohol (listed as 14.9%), its structure is punctuated by massive sweet tannins and seamless oak. Building in the middle and on the lengthy finish, this bruiser is one to be served with a grilled steak or similar fare. One of the "flagship" wineries of Washington state, this will make you wonder if the state's motto "Al-ki" (hope for the future) is prophetic. Drink now-2023.
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Red
2004 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection
93 points
Still having the appearance of a new-release wine, this opaque crimson Cabernet is packed with dark berries and currants, supported by aromas and flavors of licorice, chocolate and earth. Full-bodied, round and supple on the palate, it hides its 15.2% alcohol well. The tannins are massive but extremely sweet, giving the wine its backbone without any off-putting astringency. Solid in the middle, it ends in lengthy fashion. This wine's low acidity and refined tannins give it a "feminine" character. The forward fruit defines this gorgeous "lady" as being clad in bikini rather than evening gown. Drink now-2024.
Red
2007 Joseph Phelps Insignia
97 points
A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, this opaque crimson wine epitomizes the seduction of Napa Valley fruit. Refined and expressive, it struts aromas and flavors of kirsch, cassis, fig, fennel and espresso. It is full-bodied and fresh, with well-integrated alcohol (14.5%) and generous fine-grained tannins. Bringing new meaning to the term "layered," it builds throughout the middle and ends with a very long, smooth finish. Absolutely gorgeous is this wine! While it is a treat to drink at this point, I suspect that it may get even better with some further time in the bottle. Drink now-2028.
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Red
2008 J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain
94 points
Tasted from a bottle generously provided by the Bollingers. A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot, this opaque crimson wine hints at the potential of its gorgeous Diamond Mountain fruit. Black currants, anise, espresso, dried herbs and crushed rocks characterize the aromas and flavors, in a very structured frame of medium acidity, ample sweet tannins and seamless alcohol (listed as 14.6%). The wine builds throughout the middle and concludes with excellent length. Bold and rich, this outstanding Cabernet blend will undoubtedly reward cellaring. Drink 2016-2028.
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Flight 4 - Apple Pear Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream (1 note)
This delicious dessert was enjoyed in the living room, pairing beautifully with the Rieussec.
White - Sweet/Dessert
2003 Château Rieussec
93 points
Deep golden, this iteration of Rieussec (tasted from a pristinely-cellared 375 cc bottle) flaunts aromas of honeysuckle, apricots, caramel, and peaches. It is unctuous on the palate, with apricot, pear, vanilla and honey flavors. Very sweet and relatively round, it concludes with a smooth, lengthy finish. While not up to the quality of its '01 brethren (due to its lack of acidity), this is an outstanding Sauternes nonetheless. Drink now-2025.
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Closing
Most oenophiles would agree that the biggest benefit to collecting wine is that it can be shared with close friends. On evenings such as this, I am reminded of how much I enjoy my hobby!