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.