Warning: this is a lengthy read. January 9th forty-five AVV’ers descended upon Park 75 for our third Death by Lobster dinner there. Chef Robert Gerstenecker went all out (when does he not?) to create a 6-course 6-country all-lobster dinner for us.
Vietnam
Lobster Pho, Lemon Grass and Lobster Broth, Lobster Dumpling
New Zealand
Tempura New Zealand Langoustine Taco “Po boy”
South Africa
Pan Roasted South African Lobster Nuggets with Carnaroli Risotto
Wood Grilled Mushrooms, Melting Foie Gras Torchon and Caramelized Apples
Barbados
Hand Caught Spiny Lobster , Stone Fruit Glazed Pork Belly, Crushed White Beans, Sherry Pancetta Vinaigrette
France
Cheese and Lobster Souffle
America
Lobster And white chocolate Dome with Szechuan Pepper and Vanilla Savarin and Coconut Anglaise
Last year, Chef Robert wanted to create a lobster dessert and we’re all thinking, “really?” Oh no. Please don’t. He said, trust me, it will be great. When the lobster brie cheesecake came out for dessert, it was the most acclaimed course! This year, he outdid himself again with the Dome. It was surreal. Robert, and all of us, are excited that Bill Gate’s group bought out the hotel because now there is great financial muscle to match the kitchen’s excellence.
Tasted at our Table or during a Table Raid
1985 Trevisiol Vino Spumante Method Classico Extra Brut
Still remarkably fresh for a 28-year old sparkler with lots of life left. Green apples, mineral-infused white fruit, with a whiff of lemon that impressed me for its energy and finish. 88 pts
1976 Dom Perignon
The anticipation created by Todd’s prying this one loose from his collection was well rewarded. Pristine bottle still in the sealed box. Old gold you’d expect from a champer of this age and a little musty at first with aromas of apricot, pear, and quince and a touch of jasmine. Long mid-palate with a little disjointedness that gave the impression of vibrancy and sour apples on the short finish. 90 pts
1985 Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle
Pat was bummed over this corker ![[shock.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0b1dcf699ec319f43254f92e3f145786dcd93904.gif "shock"){kind=small}
Henri Billiot Cuvee Julie
A grower champer that has all one would want. Don’t know the vintage, but kudos to Patrick for this one. It’s force of flavor bowled me over. 94 pts.
2004 Donnhoff Norheimer Delchen AP#11 Spatlese
Gorgeous aromas of white peaches, quince, mangoes, and honeysuckle. Carries its massive weight effortlessly and 60 second finish. 98pts
2007 Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Spatlese
Raspberries, peach pit, grapefruit, lemon oil, and more delicate, crisp, and citrus than the tropical rich Norheimer. 94pts
1994 Hiedler Wiessburgunder Langenloiser Schenkenbichl Kamptal
Pear and orange peel coaxed out. Bone dry, very full with good mouth energy. For its age, I was expecting less vibrancy from this Pinot Blanc. Almost sylvaner-like in its texture. 88 pts
1994 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Clos Hauserer
Amazingly fresher than I would have thought at this age with pear and apple dominating this extremely pure, well balanced, honeyed finish. 91 pts
2000 Trimbach Pinot Gris Hommage a Jeanne
Stewed pears and peach aromas with a dense minerals balanced by tons of extract and appropriate acid. 91 pts .
2009 Sine Qua Non The Moment
Almonds, nut oil, citrus and spices in a very tight wrapper. Should have decanted this. 94pts
2009 Alban Roussanne
Heavy weight with rich concentration and a combination of rose petals and waxy honeysuckle. Most people don’t enjoy this style, but I love it for the animal, gamey notes and mouth energy. 90 pts
2009 Remelluri Rioja Blanco
Light tight nose of lime peel, peach pit, blood orange and grapefruit, full bodied with marzipan finish. 92 pts
1985 Leflaive Batard Montrachet
Pristine bottle. Dark gold with classic barnyard, blood orange, white peach, wet stones aromas, with a dynamic shifting of very restrained flavors and minerality until to the very bottom of the glass, butterscotch. 93 pts
2011 Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay
Pear, mangoes, grilled peaches with that rich, bright, focused, and buttery soft Napa fruit. A steal at $25. 94 pts
1998 Henriot Champagne Brut Millesime Rose
Fine persistent mousse. Light salmon with bright strawberries, toasted pears and lemon zest. 93 pts
2007 Paul Lato Sine Cera Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir
Forest floor, raspberry, sweet dark cherry, and a whiff of rose petal. Muscular with impeccable balance. The most well balanced wine WOTN. Silky, sexy, light pepper intense finish. 93 pts
1993 Domaine Leroy Nuits St George
Pristine bottle. Classic barnyard, cherries, wet leaves and earth, mushrooms, and baking spice. Low but still refreshing acidity, less structure and classy fruit was very fine indeed. 94pts
2010 Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir
Enticing nose of black cherry cola, smoke, and baking spice. Tight, structured, almost primordial, meaty and muscular with a long finish. Needs time to express more. 91 pts
1996 Chateau Soucherie Coteaux du Layon Vieilles Vignes
Expressive aromas of white flowers, quince, minerals, and honey. Packed and stacked. Layer upon layer of peach and pear, candied lemons, pineapple and nut oil with a long elegant finish. 94pts
Henri Giraud Ratafia Solera
Impressive aromas of sweet cherries, marzipan, and orange peel. Creamy full layers of fruit preserves, dried apricots, poached pears, spices, eau-de-vie of marachino cherries with a meaty beef blood backbone. Very complex. Loved this with the Cheese (it was brie) and Lobster Souffle. 94 pts
2006 d’Yquem
At once showier and classier than the Soucherie, with marmalade, coconuts, pineapple, honeyed asian spices. Caramel and a whiff of tangerines play off hazelnuts. Not as concentrated or as exotic as the Soucherie but far classier. 94pts
1980 d’Yquem
Floral notes intermixed with apricots, toffee and marzipan. Not as tropical or as sweet as the 06 with an alluring smoky light brown sugar finish. 92pts