Wine Geeks at Vivre

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
#1

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.

#2

This is a real pleasure to read. [cheers.gif]

#3

Very nice… lots of well-crafted food, from the sound of it!!

And the Dujac!!! Love that wine!

#4

I’m confused…you had dinner with Laura, Larry, Krystie, and Phil.

So who are Eric and Nelli?

If your friend needs any Chicago help, please feel free to ask.

Sounds like a great dinner with great friends. [cheers.gif]

#5

Too bad about the '82 Chave. That foie gras dish sounds awesome.

#6
#7

and off we go…

#8

Tee hee

#9

u guys don’t think the dishes sound under-seasoned?

nice tasting dinner btw!

#10

What amazes me is that it took 7 posts!!!

#11

I was on the way to the airport.

#12

Inexcusable. You have a smartphone.

I’m just bummed because there were no acidity ratings for the Champers.

#13

[shock.gif]

#14

Eric and Nelli are the chef/owners of the restaurant. champagne.gif


Cheers! [cheers.gif]
Marshall

#15

Thanks for clearing that up, Marshall!! Now, let’s see what the boys can do with this info… Tex??? [popcorn.gif]

#16

Do they know how to properly clean and prepare packer hanger steaks?

#17

Don’t knock it.

#18

I hear that to clean 'em right, you need to have mighty small hands.

#19

That small hand can really dig deep in a can of Pringle’s.

#20

i suppose because i’m new here, this is all very confusing to me.
except the pringles thing. that is some seriously funny sh*t…