Dinner party with friends:
With passes Hors: Tuna Tartare, WIld Mushroom Tarts, Roasted Tomato Crostini:
2000 Vilmart 'Couer de Cuvee"-Apple and vanilla nose, round and ripe on the palate with pear, apple, lime and honey notes. Really terrific. "A"
1st:Scallop Rossini with Spring Pea and Apricot Puree:
1996 Trimbach Clos St Hune-restrained nose of honeysuckle and lime. Focused citrus and stones on the palate, lime zest with a hint of sweet floral fruity flavors. No petrol at all. "B+"
2006 SIne Qua Non "The Hoodoo Man"-A "Rhone style" blend of Rousanne, Viognier and Chardonnay-really ripe concentrated wine. Thick, oily mouth feel but quite delicious with enough acidity to cut through the richness of the dish. Almonds and honey, pears and nectarines. "A-"
2nd: Roasted Golden Beet Salad with White Asperagus and Maple Vinaigrette:
2004 J. F. Choce-Dury Meursault "Les Chevaliers"-Nose of lemon butter. Bright and smooth on the palate. Plenty of ripe fruit peach and pear with a vanilla and lemon finish. My WOTN "A"
3rd: Rosemary Dusted Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Cardamom Sauce, Basmati Rice and Roasted Roma Tomato.
2001 Les Cailloux CNP Cuvee Cententaire- The bottle was a bit aged and seemed slightly cooked. I noticed in my glass that the wine had millions of tiny particles of sediment floating in suspension even though it was well decanted. It was a bit old tasting with pruney notes and a bit of beef blood. Too bad for a good bottle of CNP.
2000 Leoville Poyferre-Dark purple in the glass. Concentrated cassis and black fruits on the palate with a fair amount of vanilla on the smoot plush finish. Huge wine with a lot of upside potential. Drinking well now but will only improve with time. "A"
Cheese:
2004 Domaine Robert Arnoux Echezeaux-Sappy red cherry fruits. Brightly acidic but not green. Fair amount of stoney mineral. "B+"
Dessert of fresh Macerated Blueberries, Strawberries and Raspberries in an Almond Tuile with Mango Sorbet.
1990 Baumard Quarts de Chaume-Lychee and exotic fruit notes. Sweet and lush without being cloying. Still quite fresh and vibrant with no hint of age. A terrific effort. "A+"