Pour Boys ‘Winers & Diners’ Gala Cityscape Wine Dinner
Our Pour Boys wine group gathered in Chicago at Lyle and Terry’s for their nearly annual ‘Winers & Diners’ Cityscape end of summer wine dinner. On a beautiful summer/anutumn evening, we started on their fabulous deck with partial views of the city skyline, for hors d'oeuvres, appetizers and soup.
Joining the host and hostess Lyle and Terry, and daughter Abbie, were John coming in from Williamsburg, Ernie, Dan and Linda, coming in from Indiana, Beth and Bill, coming in from Charleston, Leslie and Jorg, and Linda and me (not shown, taking picture).
As usual, Terry and Lyle assisted by their niece, Adrienne Busatti prepared and served an extensive menu for the fabulous formal sit-down dinner.
Appetizers:
Hot individual grilled lamb ribs
Cold shrimp with cocktail sauce
Cheezes, crackers, multiple preparations of deviled eggs,
Spicy pumpkin soup
Dinner:
Grilled tenderloin of beef
Garlic red potatoes
Suspiciously delicious cabbage
Charred asparagus with bacon & truffle salt
Dessert course:
Terry’s incredible signature Mandarin orange cake
Aunt Iris's Ohio Apple cake
Profiteroles filled with ice cream and sauces or fruit
Followed by Autumn chocolates. Fresh raspberries, shelled pistachios and mixed nuts on the table …
As usual we assembled a fabulous wine flight for each course of the evening starting with Champagnes, White Wines, Red Wines and Vintage Port.
John O'Brien rejoined the group traveling in from Williamsburg, and ‘Champagne John’ brought his customary flight of ultra-premium Champagnes -
Krug Brut Champagne 2004
Bollinger La Grande Annee Champagne 2015
We were rejoined by Jorge and Leslie Balandrin who brought from their home cellar a selection of fabulous ultra-premium white wines …
La Poussie Sancerre 2022
E. Guigal La Doriane Condrieu 2023
Kongsgard Napa Valley Carneros Chardonnay 2021
We then moved to a broad extensive flight of reds featuring red blends from the Right Bank, then the Left Bank of Bordeaux, following by a line-up of usual suspects, our favorite producers’ flagship labels.
As usual, I spent time carefully preparing and tasting the wines to establish the suggested tasting order for the evening, as shown below accordingly, which was validated throughout the evening:
Château Larmande St Emilion Grand Cru Classe 2005
Château Lafon Rochet St Estephe Grand Cru Classe 2005
Château Leoville Las Cases Grand vin Leoville du Marquis St Julien 2016
Château Cos d’Estournel St Estephe Grand Cru Classe 2009
Moving to the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons …
Plumpjack Founder’s Reserve Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 1996
Hall Wines Napa Valley Kathryn Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Beaulieu Vineyards Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Bosche’ Vineyard Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Following by the dessert course accompaniment:
Niepoort Vintage Port 1997
Many thanks to Lyle and Terry for hosting, and to those that traveled from afar, and to everyone for bringing some spectacular wines for a memorable evening.
