My sweetie and I enjoyed another fabulous evening at our favorite restaurant, The Stonehouse, located on the lux property of the San Ysidro Ranch.
As usual, we were seated at our favorite table at the end of the covered outside patio that overlooks the ocean with the channel islands in the background while being graced with a spectacular sunset, cordial and accommodating service and delicious, healthy food and even the water on this night as our server gifted us with a bottle of artesian aquifer sourced Austrian Hallstein water.
We took Roelanda’s favorite champagne and a Pinot Noir made by a dear friend along with our own Sophienwald stemware while doing our own wine service as preferred.
Here’s some notes on the wines that showed beautifully:
2012 LOUIS ROEDERER CRISTAL BRUT- following its yellow gold color came aromas of fresh citrus fruit which on the palate translated into lemon and lime with a hint of mint and a coat of honey; it had a medium to full body, nice acidity and an oily, feel good mouthfeel; compared to other bottles I’ve had 3 years ago and before, the fruit seemed more youthful and not fully expressed; but, to be clear, this bottle provided a grand experience and we treasured it throughout the entire evening; this is comprised of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay sourced from Grands Crus from the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs; 32% was vinified in oak casks, it sees no ML and was dosed at 7.5 gpl.
1994 WILLIAMS SELYEM SONOMA COAST PINOT NOIR- the fill was middle neck and the cork was super saturated all the way through except for the very top; the color was an appropriate youthful, vibrant, grainy red raspberry and the nose and taste profile was replete with spicy red and black raspberry and a hint of cinnamon; it was so savory and the smooth texture and long, satisfying finish added to its allure; no way does one get this is a 32 year old new world Pinot Noir in a blind tasting and I always wonder what Burt’s impressions would have been, but I feel confident in this case he would have been as ecstatic as we were with this bottle.
This is always such an extra special evening for us and it is my intent that it first celebrates Roelanda and offers gratitude to her for all she does for me and us and the smile on her face during the evening was proof enough that it got conveyed and was appreciated.
Cheers,
Blake
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