Had an awesome dinner at Cru last night. Apparently it was the second night since the re-opening. We pilfered the cellar and I brought 2 along for the crowd (9 of us, all told). The food was outstanding. Sorry for the generalized food notes, I don’t recall all aspects of the dishes.
Food Line up
Lobster Salad- Rock solid, had some tangerine with it. Good starter, great with the Dauvissat.
Tasmanian Trout- The was my dish of the night. A few didn’t eat their crispy skins, I fixed that.
Oreccheta with Chantrelles- OMFG. Perfectly cooked and rich. Killer with the 96 Per Cristina
Duck breast- Well prepared, slightly more cooked than I like, but not tough or dry at all.
Various dessert bites- Sour and bitter, just the way I like it (I don’t have a sweet tooth at all, so this really was a nice treat for me. Some had some over board chocolate platter, which from the oos and aahs, was solid as well)
Wine Line Up
96 Dauvissat Vaillons- Robert Bohr had originally suggested Raveneau, but I figured Cru had some good bottlings of Dauvissat. I haven’t had enough, so this was my humble request. Had a cement-y, funky cheese thing on the nose, with awesome texture and roundness with fresh underlying acid. Really complex and nicely made. Good score
83 Joly Coulee de Serrant- This is why you let this stuff sit. It’s incredible. Snappy, fresh, and almost fully mature. It’s getting cleaner (it still had a little bit of that oxy character), but this was money for sure. Had all kinds of citrus skin and nut shell things going on, this was truly sensory overlaod.
93 Lignier Gevrey Combottes- Good lord this was great. Needed exactly 2 minutes to open up. Dense cherry, blackberry, blueberry and black raspberry mixed with classic Gevrey spice and a long finish with hints of lavendar. Awesome. WOTN
85 Grivot Vosne Beaux Monts- We debated between this and the 95 Dujac VR BM. So Robert was kind enough to bring both. This was over shadowed by the Dujac though. Not sold this was a totally representative bottle, but it was pleasant
95 Dujac Vosne Beaux Monts- This is about 10 years away, but it showing some nice notes. The acid cuts through the middle of this wine, but has enough texture to balance most of it out. Some mushroom, under brush and nice black tea notes really balance out the zippy fruits. Great wine, second fave of the night
96 Clerico Per Cristina- This was super solid, but needs another 10 to 15 years. It’s good, but just has too much raspberry/strawberry jam on the front palate for me. Not enough funk and truffle. Should resolve well though, good underlying acid.
00 Clerico Arte- This just wasn’t my cup of tea. Too all over the place. I love Barbera, I love Nebbiolo, but would prefer the 2 in an old world-ish style.
85 Rampolla Sammarco- This was a revelation. I would not have guessed this was 24 years old. It could last another 25 years, maybe more. It’s still young, and badly needed a decanter. Despite the tightness, I loved it. Finished 3rd for me.
Three blinders
01 Pavie- Best guess was 01 Paulliac. This was killer. I hate that people knock Pavie. Loads of Merlot and St. Emilion character. What’s wrong with that? I think people are turned off by Perse.
86 SQN Against the Wall- Best guess was some kind of older Washington Syrah, probably 98. HELLO VA! Too much for my liking. Didn’t really care for it. Imposter McCoy is that much better
89 Huet Cuvee Constance- Robert brought this one out. Hard to guess blind. 20 years, and the tannin character really overwhelms this wine. I guessed 96 Pinot Gris SGN. The color was outrageous. Had pinkish hues. Decant for 2 weeks before serving this.
All in all, awesome night of wine, drinking and company. Always good to chat about college football at dinner.
