Last night was the April wine Geeks dinner at Tr. Nostrani. We were joined at our usual table by Toby Garcia and his friend Mary. We started with a lovely 1990 Krug Brut, our last bottle of what is very possibly the best Champagne I’ve ever had. Crisp, complex, toasty and yeasty, it was very nice with our amusée of pheasant and chicken on a savory fruit base. There was still some Champagne left when the appetizer was brought out, so we saved it for later. It made a great palate cleanser between courses. We had a 2006 Dom. Jo Pithon Savenniéres ‘La Croix Pico’ to pair with our appetizers of Eric’s Home Grown Arugula Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette and Aged Goat Cheese Flan. The Savenniéres was crisp, fruity and very nice with the delicate flan and arugula.
Then we had a rich, fruity 2005 A.A.Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Dolcetto with a delightful dish of Escarole and Comte Cheese Ravioli with Roasted Tomato Reduction. The fruit and structure of the Dolcetto was very good with the tasty ravioli and rich tomato reduction. Then we had my favorite white Burgundy, a 1989 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne, rich, complex, spicy white fruit & flowers, and perfect with a Roulade of Daurade with Parsley and Bread Crumbs, a better combination would be hard to find.
Next was two very different wines to pair with the perfectly cooked Colorado Lamb Loin with Potato and Chive Croquette and Cabernet Reduction, a 1983 Guigal Côte Rôtie and a 1981 Lopez de Heredia Viña Bosconia. The Guigal was dark, rich, and nice with the lamb. The Rioja was bright red fruit, complex spice, and a perfect match to the rich lamb.
The we finished with a 1986 Chateau Climens with a very tasty Vanilla Bavarian with Hazelnut Sauce. The rich Barsac was good with the flavorful cream and sauce.
This was one of the better Wine Geek’s Dinners and Toby’s and our wine selections were outstanding. Four and half hours later we headed for home.