TN: Older Cal Cabs and other nice wines from Mark's 60th

First night in CA, Betsy made puttanesca, we were too tired to worry about wine. Wednesday we drove down to the Inn at Saratoga. Walked around Saratog a a while, then back to room. Rsin started, and quite the windy deluge by t ime we met friends in lobby to go to dinner. A quick but dramatic walk to t he Plumed Horse for first installment of Mark's 60th celebration (poor Bets y had open-toed shoes)

1996 Dom Perignon Rose Quite tasty, rich, strawberries and brioche, Long finish, gets minerally. L ater wityh the scallops I have some of Betsy's, it's developed some blood o range and citrus zest notes. A-/B+

An amuse of smoked trout cannoli

2009 Pavillon Blanc du Ch. Margaux Citrus, a little grass, a little honey. Not my fave. B-

First course of kampachi with cauliflower and romanesco sauce

2008 Mt Eden Chardonnay Reserve Lovely, minerally, dare I say "Chablid-like" Really tasty. B+/A-

Next up with the most controversial dish, parmesan souffle with spanner cra b and uni. Some hated, some loved, I was closer to latter though I thought the souflle a bit heavy (Betsy thought slightly undercooked)'

1989 Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Vendange Tardive Stuart thought this showed real RS - I didn't.to me just softened edges. Mi neral, ginger, petrol, peach. A-/B+

1983 JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese Honey, apricot (botrytis?), orange blossom. Faded quicker than I would have expected, but tasty, B/B+

Scallops with carrots and tangerine oil

1958 Inglenook F30 Cabernet Sauvignon Mint, red fruits, cedar. Showing age but enjoyable. Andy said he'd had bett er showings. B

1956 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon Still fruit, but limp structure, some caramel. B-C+

1970 Conn Creek Cabernet Sauvignon? (trouble reading my scribble) Good fruit, iodine, cedar, herb. A little short or this would be outstandin g B

Duck breast with farro and passion fruit

1977 Martin Ray Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon plum ,leather, cedar, quite a bit of VA B

1980 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Very green, herby, more CF than CS, a bit thin B-

1985 Ridge Montebello Lovely, complete, ripe and complex. A-

1955 Vallana Spanna shot', not poured

1956 Monte Real Rioja (didn't note level) Birthyear wine for Mark. Red fruit, spice, a little hint of dill, mature an d lovely midweight. B+/A-

1967 Minuto Barbaresco corked!

Beef tenderloin with a bordelaise sauce

1979 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon Black fruits, a little bell pepper, cedar. Mediumbodied, good finish. B/B+

1986 Rauzan Segla Nice showing. Ripe dark fruits, tangy acids, cigarbox. A-

1978 Heitz Marthas's Cabernet Sauvignon I enjoyed this a lot, but not as much as other recent bottle from same lot (travel?). Black cherry, spice, herbs. Nice length, plenty of structure lef t. A-/B+

Cheese was Cypress Grove truffle Tremor

John had brought a 2013 Bordeaux blend from his new venture which I enjoyed , but neglected to write down any details.

salted caramel mousse

1970 Climens Plenty of life left. Creme brulee, apricot, honey. A-/B+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a p arty where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

Reply to
DaleW
Loading thread data ...

DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.