It's that time again: find me some bottles

WINE TALK
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You need help? :slight_smile:

If only for curiosity’s sake, I’d love myself to try the Inman 2012 Chardonnay and see what Kathleen has done with white wine—I adore her pinots for their delicacy and finesse. Lioco’s not bad. I’ve had the Planeta Cometa before and it’s interesting stuff.

Can you go wrong with any 2001 Alsatian? The Trimbach Gewurtz might be the “safest” choice.

Reds…hmmm…maybe the Lignier-Michelot 2009 Morey St. Denis. But I’d probably take a shot at the Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia from 2002…even in a nondescript vintage, they never make nondescript wine.

Have fun.

Mike

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+1

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You could just order 2 shots of the 19 year Clynelish and call it a day too [grin.gif]

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Update: I called to talk to the somm, and after chatting a bit about wine, he graciously agreed to waive the “weekend rule” vs BYO. So I will buy a white off the list and I am going to bring old Rioja. I told him I was down to the Arneis, the Gavi, and the Soave Classico, and he strongly recommended the Arneis.

I am very grateful that he waived the restriction, and am very much looking forward to dinner tonight.

Thanks again for all your guidance

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Yu welcome. [snort.gif]

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OK, so here is the final report.

We ended up drinking three wines: 1964 Martinez Lacuesta Reserva Special, 1984 Lopez de Heredia Tondonia, and the 2013 Almondo Roero Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie. The Arneis was a perfect starter for the crudo and cold apps. Spritely and crisp. $60 on the list and $19.99 at K&L, it became my first retail purchase of 2015 when we got home. This is going to make a supremely refreshing drink on the patio when the weather warms up.

The 64 Lacuesta was a Nora Desmond kind of wine. A fading glory, the evidence of its finesse was plain enough, but it had begun to decay. The fragrance was seductive, but the palate was sharper and less generous than it was at one time. Nonetheless, it was a pleasure to drink.

The Tondonia was a more complete wine. Fully mature and glossy, it had more heft than the Lacuesta, and that same beguiling aged-rioja seduction.

The restaurant was absolutely terrific by the way. It may have been the best meal I’ve had in DC in years. My main (below; pic does not come close to doing it justice) was langostine, lobster, prawn, bronzino, scallop, mussels, and foie gras in a parmesean dashi. Sounds amazing; tasted better than it sounds. I also had the lobster ravioli, which was the best pasta course I have had in ages. HIGHLY recommended. (But take a big bag of money).

Service, including the wine service) was pitch perfect. The somm waived the no-BYO-on-the-weekend rule, for which I was very grateful, but with 2 bottles brought in, that was $100 in corkage. Ouch.
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Sounds like a wonderful evening, Neal, thanks for sharing. That dish looks ridiculously good. Any chance you snapped some pics of these old bottles and the wine in the glass?

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I got the hairy eyeball for taking the pic of the entree. This is the 64 label
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Mo’s a good guy.

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We worked with his junior partner, Will Moriarity (no relation, I assume)

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I’ve been debating whether to drop the big bucks on this place but it sounds like it’s worth it. Thanks for the report.

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If, you have to pay a crazy corkage it at least makes some sense to bring really, really cool stuff like you did. Sounds like a great night.

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Average corkage for the DC area is $20-25/btl; this is twice that. Everything about the place is spendy. But it was a really fine meal, great service, and a lovely spot right on the Potomac. A perfect sort of special occasion place

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And, as they always say, “if you loved the experience/product, the price was right”. I’ll check that place out if ever in DC. It looks great.