A recent stellar dining experience was held in the Wine Room offset from the main dining room of the El Encanto resort with 12 fortunate and very special attendees. It was amazing how the wines fit so perfectly with the 5 course menu without knowledge of it in advance. The menu:
FIRST COURSE
HAMACHI SASHIMI
Citrus Ponzu, sliced jalapeno, cilantro
SECOND COURSE
HERB CRUSTED DIVER SCALLOPS
Soft fresh polenta, pencil asparagus, orange reduction and dill oil
THIRD COURSE
ROASTED QUAIL
Stuffed with truffle mushroom mousse over braised Tuscan kale quinoa, pinot grape relish
FOURTH COURSE
ROASTED LAMG LOIN
Parsnip puree with red pepper infusion fried Brussels sprouts and popped sorghum
DESSERT
IVOIRE WHITE CHOCOLATE PANNA COTTA
Almond Streusel, raspberry and blood orange sorbet
The wines:
NV BILLECART- SALMON BRUT ROSE- from a beautiful magnum sized bottle, this bubbly gave of the typical gifts it has been known to do with fresh raspberry aromatics which is joined by fresh strawberries; all continue on into the mid palate with grace and ease; it was crisp and refreshing and a great intro into the evening.
2012 DOMAINE de L`ABBAYE CLOS BEYLESSE COTES de PROVENCE ROSE- 12.5% alc.; pale salmon pink color, loaded with minerality and bone dry, this was full of citrus and stone fruit notes in a light to medium body and quite pleasant.
2007 PETER MICHAEL L`APRES-MIDI SAUVIGNON BLANC- quite the atypical variety profile here with no herbaceousness; it had an abundance of citrus and green apple/ pear; smooth and easy on the palate; excellent SB.
2011 COLD HEAVEN SANFORD & BENEDICT VINEYARD VIOGNIER- Ive had a few of this producers Viognier previously and most have been more Condrieu like, but not this bottle; everything is on the mild side including the texture which is more light and thin as opposed to thick and creamy; the stone fruit is also in a more muted place and I did not get the requisite ginger accent typical for this wine; even then, this is elegant and as such, enjoyable.
2003 AUBERT RITCHIE VINEYARD SONOMA COAST CHARDONNAY- somewhat okay but not to a fault; good acidity; there`s some toasted almond butterscotch joining in with citrus and peach carried in an oily texture all the way to the back end; this is a wine one either really likes or dislikes; I liked it.
2002 SAXUM BONE ROCK JAMES BERRY VINEYARD PASO ROBLES SYRAH- decanted; solid wine, big and bold and exuberant; blended in with 12% Grenach.
1990 CHAPOUTIER CHATEAUNEUF du PAPE- a great bring and a wine I`ve enjoyed in the past immensely; unfortunately, this one was inundated with Brettanomyces.
1996 CHATEAU LATOUR- a winner par excellence; drinking real good now and promises to mature above and beyond; wonderful licorice flavored black cherry and currant abound and the silky texture adds to the sensual pleasure this provides; a great bottle.
1992 ARAUJO EISELE VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON- after making a stunning Cab in 91` along with Joseph Phelps, this was the first release from the Araujos on their own and it is in a good place now; good black and blue fruit are offered amidst depth and complexity and a good mouthfeel; it was a treat to once again revisit this gem.
2003 ALOIS KRACHER TBA #1- 50% Welschriesling, 25% Pinot Gris, 25% Scheurebe; 375 ml.; a fitting end to a grand dinner with special people in a wine themed environment; dessert in a glass; rich and creamy with honeyed vanilla apricot and peach notes to please.
2001 CHATEAU FARGUES SAUTERNES- from the spectacular 01` vintage, this shined with its already blossoming honey coated peach, apricot and fig notes and its smooth and creamy mouthfeel; for me, it went a step further from most other Sauternes; and this is just in its early stage of evolution; a winner. [newly added omission- 3/18/14]
Life is good.
Cheers,
Blake