Just got back from a trip to Napa with some friends and wanted to share some highlights.
Stayed in a beautiful home just north of Calistoga. Some in the party had just flown in from Canada so dinner was early. Chef John Adamson started us off.
Brittany and Jeff Ames joined us for dinner and brought a few treats. We started off with some wood-fired oven pizza that was paired with bottles of 2011 Rudius Hyde barrel sample chard. Not a big white fan and have very little experience, my nose and palate said WOW. A future buy.
1st Squab 2 ways paired with 2009 Fion Bainise Prop Red
2nd Dry Aged Rib Eye that was so yummy – 2009 Cabernet Panek Vineyard
3rd Red and Yellow beet salad – 2009 Napa Cab
4th Vahlrona Bittersweet Chocolate and Hazelnut tart
I don’t feel knowledgeable enough nor have the vocabulary to do TN so that is why I refrain.
Day 2
First stop was 7 Stones – Holy Crap Batman what a piece of property and view. From there we headed to The Vineyardist on Diamond Mt. and the property couldn’t be any more different than 7 Stones, but just as beautiful. Rugged land that straddles both counties. Off to relax and a slight nap before dinner.
The chef tonight was Graham Jones and the guest was Tor Kenward.
Canapés – Dungeness Crab & Avocado Trifle, Blue Cheese Sablee and Gougeres w/ Foie Gras severed with some bubbles from Niagara area.
Amuse – Lobster & Scallop Minestrone - 2010 Durell Chard
1st Pave of Salmon - 2010 Torchiana Chard
2nd Salad of Grilled Goat Tenderloin - 2009 Rock Grenache. Tor brought out a surprise Syrah that I forgot to write down on the menu.
3rd Braised Rabbit Tortellini in a Pomery Mustard broth - 2009 Beckstoffer To Kalon “Old B”. Sure wish I had a TALL glass of that broth to drink
4th Grilled Tenderloin of Beef - 2009 Beckstoffer To Kalon Clone 6. This is the last vintage of 6 from To Kalon period. Well worth getting some.
A throw in cheese soufflé and for desert a Meyer Lemon & Poppy Seed Savarin - 2008 Noble Rot Late Harvest.
Next morning went to visit Vine Hill Ranch and met Bruce and Heather Phillips. Bruce gave us a walking tour of the property while Heather setup lunch. Lunch was simple, but splendid and topped off by Heather’s brownies. The setting was beautiful sitting on their new picnic table under the huge Oak trees over looking the property. While eating they poured both the 2008 and 2009 vintages. LOVED both. Before heading back we stopped by 750 wines and tasted the 2009 12c and 100 Acre Ark.
Daniel Gomez Sanchez prepared our last dinner together.
1st Salad of Citrus marinated clams - 2009 Aubert Reuling and 2009 Aubert Lauren.
2nd Halibut - 2007 Clos des Papes
3rd Duck Breast, Seared Foie Gras with Porcini Mushrooms - 2007 Saxum James Berry
4th Roasted Bone-in Rib eye topped with bone marrow pudding - 2006 Alban Reva
A great time with the boys and looking to maybe going South next time. Can’t wait.