Last night we went to Vivre (old Nostrani Ristorante) for a Wine Geek’s Dinner with Laura Chancellor & Larry Archibald and Krystie & Phil Custer.
It was a very good dinner for the last one before they move to Seattle (Eric) and Chicago (Nelli).
The amusée was was a lovely cup of Celery Root Soup with a 2004 Fleur de Passion Champagne (brought by Larry) - good bubbles; crisp fruit, with a good finish.
The Appetizer course was White Asparagus with Crab, Fennel, and Avocado Cream with a lovely Cuvée William Deutz Brut Champagne (brought by the Custers) - good bubbles, rich fruit, with a long rich finish.
Then we had a Seared Foie Gras with Grapes and Apricot Mustard Reduction with a lovely 1988 Chateau Climens Barsac (brought by Larry) - dark gold in color; good rich fruit, good acidity, with a long fruity finish.
Then we had a Potato Gnocchi with Peas, Parsnip, and Lobster Sauce with a good 1984 Albert Delée Hermitage Blanc (from Larry) (my 1982 Chave Hermitage Blanc had a lot of a acetone flavor and acidity so we didn’t have it) - nice fruit flavors, with a medium long fruity finish.
For main course we had a lovely medium rare Colorado Rack of Lamb with Lentil Ragu and Red Wine Reduction with a good 1982 Calon Segur (from the Custers) - initially slightly tannic, but moderating with the lamb, no herbal flavors just good fruit, adequate acidity, with a long fruity finish; and a young 2002 Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Red Burgundy (brought by us) - good rich red and black fruit, with good acidity, and a long fruity finish.
Then we had dessert, a Créme Fraiche Panna Cotta with Strawberries, Raspberries, and a Cassis Syrup with a lovely 1990 Maculan Acinobili - lighter in color than the Sauternes, with good sweet fruit, some acidity, with a medium long sweet fruit finish.
It was a lovely meal with great wines supplied by all.