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Small & intimate Covid-era dinner

Chez moi

Tasted August 15, 2020 by VDLT Wine with 59 views

Introduction

Jill & David make four. A 7-hour mini-marathon on the patio

Flight 1 - To begin (1 note)

Served with: golden whitefish caviar, radishes and French butter, mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes and basil (dressing included Arizcuren olive oil) and Veleta conserves - mussels and sardines

White - Sparkling
N.V. Gaston Chiquet Champagne Premier Cru Tradition Brut France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
A charming and tasty Brut. Disgorged 2012 largely from 2009 grapes. It was surprisingly un-spritzy with just enough mousse to provide some lift. This went down fast and easy.

Flight 2 - Showcasing a great wine (1 note)

Served with some holdovers + steamed and shelled lobsters with aioli

White
1996 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru
Fourth of my stash of this acclaimed 1er Cru. First try at about age 7 was sensational. Of the subsequent 2, one was flawed if not overt pre-moxed. The other just failed to deliver on its potential. This time, we hit spectacular. Opened 5 hours prior to service. The deep golden color and early taste were troubling. In time, it hit its stride in a Grassl Cru. The aromatics were mesmerizing. Just a whiff of oxidation, more than balanced by all of those mature wine flavors that I find foolish to try to describe. This was not about any specific notes, it was a complete symphony that was stirring and evocative - full of energy, intrigue and soul. Bravo!
2 people found this helpful Comment

Flight 3 - Intermezzo (1 note)

Hard salami and Serrano Jamon were added

Red
2016 Canevaro Luca Colli Tortonesi Monleale Italy, Piedmont, Colli Tortonesi
Despite being sandwiched between 2 very formidable wines, this lovely and very enjoyable Tortonese, acquitted itself well. It has real vibrance and freshness and admirable depth. I struggle to articulate the difference between Barbera from Tortona and those from Alba or Asti but it is apparent to me that there is a real difference.
2 people found this helpful Comment

Flight 4 - Main course (1 note)

Served with smoked paprika and cinnamon rubbed grilled spatchcock ducks with cinnamon, pineapple, clove sauce and pearl barley and carrots

Red
2018 Arizcuren Rioja Barranco del Prado Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
Triple decanted at least 6 hours prior. Much too young but I needed to check in with this. From a Grassl Cru, the infant fruit has great energy, juiciness as well as remarkable purity. The tannins insist on saying, “none shall pass!” But the complexity that seemingly can come only from very old vines and original rootstock is palpable nonetheless. Such a dichotomy that a wine that is fiercely structured at present can still vividly display such delicacy.
1 person found this helpful Comment

Flight 5 - Cheese and sweets (1 note)

Initially mixed fruit and cheese plate (Saint Nuage triple cream), Istara Petit Basque & Comté); then homemade apricot Gateau Breton & drunken blondies

White - Sweet/Dessert
N.V. Van Duzer Zephyra USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
A pleasant Demi-sweet Pinot Gris that is quite syrupy, lightly fruity and floral and short on the finish. Enjoyable if not entirely to my taste.
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