We have a great line up of wine for Friday night the list is just below these items of interest.
• It has been a busy week here in New London with lots of excitement. Our remodeling job at Brie & Bleu was finished ahead of schedule and under budget – someone get the studio chiefs on the phone – I think we are ready to direct.
• Our dinner with Marc & Matthieu Perrin from the Chateau Beaucastel last Thursday night was a real joy. There are some wines that have a magic to them - from the instant they touch your lips to the memories that linger for days after their consumption. These wines are more than the sum of their parts, as if someone added two and three and got six - they shine brighter and deeper than it seems possible for a simple splash of liquid in a glass. Beaucastel is one of these wines.We sat with Marc and we drank Beaucastel '78,'81,'83,'89,'96,'03,'04 - & that was just the REDS. Believe me when I tell you that sitting arms length away from the man that made the wine and listening to him tell the stories that only he can convey, it is a very special experience. When we say “Private Dinner & Meet The Winemaker” – we mean it.
A very special note of thanks has to go to Hank Mann – a good friend and clubhouse regular, for helping to make our vertical tasting possible. Even though he was unable to attend the feté – he provided the 78, 81, 83, 89, from his own cellar. These wines are painfully hard to find and even caused Marc Perrin to raise an eyebrow – “How did you get these?” he asked. We all raised our glasses to Hank on that night – and I do so again right now.
You can watch brief highlights of the dinner and our full interview with Marc Perrin on our website, on our blog, and of course – on iTunes. It should all be posted by late Monday or Tuesday.
• Quilceda Creek 2004 $225
We have it.
Last year Wine Spectator ranked this wine as the best American wine, Robert Parker gave the '02 and '03 100 points, and this wine has the highest average Parker score of any wine in the world. This year Wine Spectator rated this wine 95 points collectable , which is consistent with their assessment of previous vintages. Wine writer Stephen Tanzer indicates he will rate this vintage between 93-96 points.
12 bottles for the year – period. First come first served.
• Our summer menus and dinner series are almost finalized – here is a First Look.
If you see something that you like please call to reserve – seating is limited:
Rosé Wine Dinner Thursday 5/17 - $60
Featuring Rose Champagne and Domaine Ott.
Smokes & Spirits Thursday 5/24 - $40
On The Deck, ladies don’t be shy – Compare for yourself the subtleties of fine Rye’s and Whiskey. Add a nice cigar to top it off. Possible side effects may include euphoria, sudden bursts of laughter and a lingering sense of savoir-faire.
“Cult Wine” Series continues
Viader Vineyards - Thursday 5/31 $100
Wine Tasting – Please Join Us
Wines for tasting Friday May 11 – 6-9 p.m. – No Charge
1 - Anakena Sauvignon Blanc 2006 $8
A delicate and crisp pale gold Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. This subtle wine shows complex citric and herbal aromas and hints of tropical fruit as pineapple and passion fruit. At the palate is elegant, fresh and with a long finish. Delicious as an aperitif, or with poultry, seafood, salmon, and salads.
2 - Zeni Pinot Grigio Ramato 2005 $17
The northeastern Italian regions of Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia were historically referred to as the "Tre Venezie"(three Venices), and represent the vast chunk of territory once associated with the great city of Venice. Today, these regions are more politically distinct, but their wines converge on the tables of Venice, where the incomparable array of seafood - cuttlefish in their ink; scampi (shrimp) dressed in olive oil and lemon juice; flaky branzini (sea bass) baked in salt crust - is perfectly complemented by the Tre Venezie¹s minerally, crisp, fragrant white wines. - This wine is a classic of the Tre Venezie: A powerful pinot grigio with a slight pink tinge due to some skin contact during fermentation.
This is the kind of wine you'll see in Venice all the time but rarely does it make it Stateside. (the term "ramato" means "coppery," in reference to the coppery color of the wine due to the skin contact). Give this one a try - you might decide to keep a case around the house all season long
3 - Col Des Vents Corbieres 2004 $12 Languedoc France
"Col des Vents" refers to the hills of the Corbières region which are swept by night winds coming off the sea and cooling the vineyards. Ripe blueberry and cherry flavors. A real value – that deserves your attention.
4 - Cenit tinto 2003 $45 - Tempranillo from Zamora Spain (near Toro),
You may have heard Faith Middleton rave about this wine on her NPR radio show this past week. “Very intense cherry, potent aromas, rich in ripe fruit, spices from the oak well-integrated, with minerals (dry earth), spirituos but the fruit keeps its freshness. Full mouth, bold, rich with ripe fruit, big, spiritous, tasty but not sweet tannins" 95 points by Jose Penin, Guia Penin. “ This is a powerhouse, that is worth the price. Give it a try on Friday night.
Thanks again for all of the kind words and emails – it is your support that makes it all happen.
We are implementing most of your requests and will reveal even more in next week’s update.
Please Join Us – it’s fun, informal, and a great way to start your weekend.
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