Nils Gustav Lindgren and Christina joined us for lunch, in the garden (our first this year, it has been the coldest spring I can remember).
Started with Domaine de Belliviere, Cotaeux du Loir 2001 Vieilles Vignes Eparses, dry but not completely, very rich botrytis nose with apples, mushrooms, and a pleasant sharpness with long finish. WEnt great with green asparagus topped with EVOO from Liguria and Cambiodian black pepper.
Next, we had Cote Rotie 1997 Brune et Blonde by Pierre Gaillard, dark, spicy, powerful aroma with hints of rubber or tar. Drank this with spicy guinea hen done with a peverada sauce of livers, capers, lemon, anchiovies, served with a soft polenta from Pistoia and zolfino beans that I just brought back from the Arno valley.
Finished with apple clafouti, fresh strawberries from Carpentras and a
1996 Cru barrejats Sauternes, deep golden amber with intense aromas of wax, quinces, mushrooms, and the usual unbelievably long finish that makes this Barsac wine one of the best examples of Sauternes available.Mike
Mike Tommasi, Six Fours, France email link