3 RHYS, SAXUM, SUDUIRAT +++ - Dick and Sue’s (7/14/2014#
Last night, my wife and I joined 2 other couple who went over to our friends Dick and Sue for dinner. Dick is quite the chef an he has all the gadgets, toys, ovens, etc. to bring out his talents. We all ogled his spice drawers for ten minutes alone. The meal was a slow, leisurely affair with Dick providing all of the wines. The entire meal was vegetarian #my wife and I are) which was quite a treat. A great night.
With Roasted Red Pepper and Cheese Bruschetta
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NV Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Rosé Reserve - France, Champagne
This was a very nice starter. Pale copper pink in color. The nose has strawberries, slight ginger, and slight decayed plant matter which made up a lovely nose. Crisp and clean with small bubbles. Strawberries and rhubarb on the palate. Just a hint, in a good way, of bitterness. Nice finish. Very pretty wine. I think Dick said this had some age on it as it had been lost in the cellar. (92 pts.)
With Waffle Fries with Truffle Oil, Scallions and Parmigianno
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2010 Rhys Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains
Dick opened this as a prior bottle had been oxidized. This one seemed sound to me. Golden in color. The nose has apples followed by vanilla/lemon crème. On the palate, this has a creamy texture. Nice lemon cream flavors. Good balance. Worked well with food. (92 pts.)
With Rissotto with Carmelized Squash and Saffron
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2011 Cameron Hughes Lot 359 - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
This is a Riesling Chenin Blanc blend (80/20) that Dick used for his Risotto, but since we were all in the kitchen, I checked it out. It had been opened in the Fridge for 4 days. Still, it was very nice. Screw capped which probably helped. I won’t score it, but this was clean, slightly sweet and refreshing. For $8, this was a great value. -
2011 Rhys Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains
Not what I was expecting. Ruby/purple in color. This is a big nose. Lots of dark cherries, leather and slight menthol on the nose. Wonderful lush texture. Very rich. Not masculine, but not feminine either. On the palate, lush dark cherry fruit. It seems to have depth and will probably age just fine. The texture is seamless which makes it go down quite easily. My wife, who doesn’t like Pinot, finished her glass. (94 pts.)
With Crispy Tofu with Broccoli
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2010 Rhys Syrah Horseshoe Vineyard - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains
This didn’t seem to be as much of a hit with the crowd as the other Rhys wines. Clearly in a cooler climate style. Purple/ruby in color, but cloudy and flat. The nose has tart cherries and a distinctive green note to it. I do wonder if this was a proper bottle or not. it has a lovely texture, but the slight green not carries over to the palate. Cranberries and rhubarb on the palate. It ok, but not really what I look for in a Syrah. YMMV. (88 pts.)
With “Chicken”, Mushrooms and Thyme in Cream
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1999 Paolo Scavino Barolo Carobric - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
I think I liked this more than the group, but I love Barolo. This had been slow-oxed for 4 hours, then decanted. Light ruby in color. The nose has cherries, dried cherries, roses, tar and dust. Very pretty. Layered and complex on the palate, this seems to be getting close to peak. Nice balance. Great acidity. Went well with the food. (93 pts.)
Cheese selections from the USA
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2007 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Great showing for this wine. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, grilled meats. Full bodied. No heat. Lots of black raspberry fruit. Showing some development, but nowhere near peak. So smooth and easy to drink with a great lush texture. Long finish. I think this was a great pairing and perfect placement in the meal. (96 pts.)
With Grand Marnier Souffle
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2001 Château Suduiraut - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Loved this wine and loved this food pairing. Golden in color. The nose has bitter orange peel, some honey and some fresh country air qualities. Full bodied. Slightly sweet, hint of bitterness, lots of orange peel on the palate. Layers of complexity. Long finish. Great finish. (97 pts.)
Thanks to Dick and Sue. It was great to see everyone else as well.
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