This was a fun time. The Sommelier was very very friendly and eager to discuss some of the wines I chose. This was a markedly different experience from the last time was at Le Bec Fin. Note – I think I identified the right Pichler (and vintage for that matter) but I may be off. I will try to verify with the restaurant, as their wine list is not on line.
The group turned over the keys to the car to me. I worked with the sommelier to come up with a good wine program, albeit one focused on France. The WOTN was the Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet Boudriotte Blanc. What a tremendous, young wine that is drinking exceptionally well right now. I’ve roughly paired up the wines with the courses in the tasting menu that I had Starter
N.V. Henriot Champagne Brut Rosé- France, Champagne
Great mousse. Doughy. slightly sweet but good body. Definitely a restrained rose that did not come off as strawberry juice. Good finish. Great quality here. $50-60 retail. (94 pts.)
Apertif/Bread/Amouse Bouche
The crisp Pichler, with a touch of sweetness drank very well and paired well with the next course as well.
2004 F.X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Loibner Berg- Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau
Very good. Deeper yellow, sweet brown sugar notes. Honey, apple combined with decent acidity. Nice body and a building finish. Not a “knock your socks off” wine but a very good, clean effort. Recommended. (92 pts.)
First Course
A great dish of anchovy, goat cheese and a poached tomato. Wonderful pairing. I saved some of this wine for the next course as well.
2006 Domaine Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Boudriotte- France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru
Terrific! Pale pale color. Citrus, sweet nose. Slightest hint of oatmeal. Really smooth complex palate of acacia, honeysuckle, and sweet notes. The brown sugar was constant. The acidity complemented the wine very well. Very good finish. This is outstanding. (95 pts.)
Second Course
Diver Scallop dish with white asparagus and grapefruit. Interesting and refreshing. I still had some of the Ramonet to drink with this and only had a sip or two of the Lignier with this course before moving on to the third course.
1988 Georges Lignier et Fils Clos de la Roche- France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
Still young. Deeper red color. Earthy. Mushrooms and red fruit on the nose. Salinity, minerals and even a touch of smoked meat. Some pine, menthol and herbs. Tannic and some acidity poking through at the back end. Good finish but it wrestled with the acidity, May get better with time. (91 pts.)
Third Course
Roasted Mediterranean Rouget in a saffron sauce. Not bad. I more or less drank the Clos de la Roche with this and waited to drink the Brane-Cantenac and Gaffeliere with the meat.
2003 Château Brane-Cantenac- France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
A little restrained. Deep dark color. Reserved nose. Blue fruit first to emerge with some mocha and deeper red fruit. Average, but acceptable finish. This needs more time. (90 pts.)
Fourth Course
Prime strip loin with cippolini onions. The Gaffeliere seemed smoother and paired better with this than the Brane-Cantenac.
1997 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière- France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Drinking very well right now. Burnt red color. Plush young nose. Red fruit, spice and plum. Good palate of cassiss, plum, spice and red berries. Smooth. Finish could have been better, but this appears to be a nice value. (92 pts.)
Cheese Course Pairing
The Port paired beautifully with the blue cheese. The selection of cheeses were great and stood out on their own.
1998 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage Quinta de Vargellas- Portugal, Douro, Porto
This was good, but obviously could use more time. Smoke, meat, mocha and deep dark secondary notes dominated the nose. A bit too hot for my tastes. Smooth on the palate with good complexity but I was expecting a better finish. (88 pts.)
Dessert Pairing
A fantastic closing wine that exhibited great concentration and sweetness.
2000 Trimbach Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives- France, Alsace, Alsace AOC
A concentrated bomb. Deeper dark brownish yellow color. This was excellent. Sweet brown sugar, smoke, apricot, caramel and vanilla. Concentrated, thick and rich. Impressive complexity. Great melding of flavors with a good concentrated finish. (94 pts.)
A great meal and great wine! Posted from CellarTracker