Pichon Lalande and Steak at Janko's Little Zagreb Bloomington

Pichon Lalande and Steak at Janko's Little Zagreb in Bloomington, Indiana

Continuing our sojourn to Bloomington, Indiana for a college reunion gathering, we dined at the local legendary steak house Janko's Little Zagreb. 

Not fancy or pretentious, sited in a rustic old building just off the courthouse square, its boisterous dining room with the red and white checkerboard table clothes and Indiana sports memorabilia on the walls, (as well as their near decade of Wine Spectator Awards), Zagreb's is just good steak (and seafood) with a surprisingly intriguing and respectable wine list. They offer about 100 carefully selected bottles and a dozen wines by the glass - W-B-T-G. 

Very seldom will I find a winelist that offers no less than a half dozen choices that I am eager to try, that are also good winelist values.

Our two dinners in town, we hit both notable winelist dining establishments in Bloomington, Truffles Restaurant & Wine Bar, last night, and then tonight. 

A Bloomington institution since 1973, Janko's is an ideal reunion gathering place that we strive to dine at  every time we return to Bloomington, and it never disappoints. 

Mark S and I ordered Rib-eye steaks, which were served classic Pittsburgh style, Jane had lobster tail, and Linda ordered the grilled salmon. Everyone's entree was high quality and perfectly prepared. 

Prior to dinner we had the featured dinner salads. Afterwards we had both of the two available desserts, their regular Creamy 'New York Style' Cheesecake, and their Cheesecake 'Special', a decadent Ghirardelli Chocolate Cheesecake.

To accompany our steak course I ordered from the winelist this legendary Bordeaux, one of my favorite labels, and a repeat, mini-vertical of sorts of the bottle we had a few days earlier at our spectacular gala Pour Boys Wine Dinner at Del Ray Beach Wine Kitchen. I should note this was my third choice from the winelist but when my first two selections were sold out, I opted for this special bottle. 

As I wrote the other night, we toured the estate grounds and vineyards during our Bordeaux trip year before last. 

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Pauillac 2006

This wine is capable of being so long lived and goes through such a transformation over the decades, it is an adventure tasting at so many different stages of its life. 

At fifteen years years, the fill level, label and cork were perfect, this is likely at the apex of its drinking window, not likely to improve further, but will certainly age gracefully and transform with character as it is capable of cellaring for another two decades or more. 

This is a classic Pauillac, Bordeaux, a standout in a somewhat challenging vintage - a real delight to taste, especially with a superbly prepared steak and baked potato. 

This is my favorite and most memorable Pauillac over the ages. I still remember my first Pichon, a gift from business colleague, Jerry G from Southfield, MI, when he presented me with a bottle of the 1978 vintage back upon release during one of my trips there. I didn't fully appreciate then how classic and thoughtful that gift was! 

This release was awarded 95 points by Vinous, 94 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Wine Enthusiast, 93 points by Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar and Decanter, and 92 points by Wine Spectator. 

Dark garnet colored, medium full bodied, powerful and intense yet nicely balanced and superbly integrated blackberry and black cherry fruits with sprites of anise, smoke, dark chocolate,  clove spice and notes of violets, tobacco leaf and hints of truffles, with round full dusty fine grained tannins on a long polished finish. 

RM 94 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=357057

http://www.littlezagreb.com/

@LittleZagreb - https://twitter.com/LittleZagreb 

 

 

 

 

Le Petit Cafe - Country French Cuisine and Wine Experience in B-Town

Le Petit Cafe - Country French Cuisine and Wine Experience in B-Town

An evening at the Le Petit Cafe in downtown Bloomington, Indiana, another visit to this unique dining site that offers authentic Provencal country French cuisine and an opportunity for a French wine flight. As their website says, "Our flair comes from our quirkiness," sums it up well! '.... do not expect expensive silverware, costly and ostentatious embellishments, or, ridiculously overpriced wines. Instead, expect generous servings, warm and unaffected atmosphere, sensible pricing, and hearty, wholesome food." A perfect setting for college visit w./ L, Erin and Lucy to see Alec and friends David and Nate, Shaunik and Reesha..

We dined on steak with herbs and garlic, boneless pork with grapes, sauteed white fish, and chicken in a white gravy like sauce. Steak Aromates, Poulet à l'estragon, Lapin à la moutarde, and Saumon sauce Antiboise. The  entrées came with a potato and leek soup, roasted and potatoes and a heart of beet.

Our wine flight consisted of a range of French selections from the Borgogne, lower Rhone, and a vintege right bank Pomerol Bordeaux.

The wines:

Domaine Santa Duc, Prestige des Hautes Garrigues Gigondas 1998

Louis Latour, Fleurie Les Garans Cote-D'Or 2000

Clos Rene Pomerol Bordeaux 1994

Domaine Santa Duc, Prestige des Hautes Garrigues Gigondas 1998 - 
This was the biggest of the four wines, even moreso than the Chateauneuf-du-Pape - and was a perfect accompaniment to the pate and the steaks. Dark color - medium - full bodied. As we work through this case in its 12th year, this wine seems to be more subdued but more balanced, integrated and polished than when younger. Still exhibiting full forward black berry, black cherry and hints of anise, slight earthy leather on a moderate firm tannin finish.

RM 90 points. 

http://cellartracker.com/w?8842 


Louis Latour, Fleurie Les Garans Cote-D'Or 2000

From the vineyard of Les Garans, situated to the north-east of the village of Fleurie, acknowledged as one of the finest sites for growing top quality grapes because of its combination of unique soil composition and specific microclimate. This wine is deliciously floral on the nose and possesses great smoothness on the palate with a wonderful balancing acidity. Deep red in colour with a clean and rounded bouquet of ripe red fruits. Structured, balanced and quite sinewy on the finish.  This was a nice balance to the bigger Gigondas and Bordeaux and a accompaniment to the rabbit with brown sauce, yet sufficiently delicate to pair nicely with the chicken. 

RM 87 points.



http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1220396 

Clos Rene Pomerol Bordeaux 1994


Dark inky purple, medium-full bodied. Complex black cherry and black berry with a layer of anise, leather and a hint of tobacco and smoke on the finish with lingering slightly dry tannins.

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=60841

Robert Craig Mt. Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

Robert Craig Mt. Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

What a nice surprise to find the 2000 Robert Craig Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon on the winelist at Truffles Restaurant and 56 Degree Bar in Bloomington, Indiana during campus visit to son Alec. Tasted with Dennis and Bev M. This wine has all the essential characteristics of a Mt.Veeder appellation Cabernet – dense, generous black fruit integrated with fine, ripe tannins.

Expansive aromas of dark black fruit, dusty cedar, chocolate and mint, which deepen over time. Extra-rich, concentrated flavors of ripe black fruit, currant, and cassis, finished with a touch of mint, cream and spice. The finish features a solid, thick core of black fruit that lengthens and combines with silky chocolate, cedar and cassis for a plush, long-lived finish. 

Blend: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc

RM 91 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=6530

http://www.trufflesbtown.com/ 

 

Authentic French Wine & Dine Adventure - Le Petit Cafe Redoux

Authentic French Wine & Dine Adventure - Le Petit Cafe Redoux  - 

Imagine leaving the city and driving out to a French country village for an exquisite, quaint dining experience. Such is dining at the French bistro Le Petit Cafe in Bloomington, Indiana which provides an authentic Provencal dining experience as if you've been transported from Southern Indiana to Southern France. You'll not find a more hospitable atmosphere; the food and wine experience is straight out of the Libournais, true to the roots of the owners who also cook and serve. Don't expect elegance and haute cuisine, you'll get honest home style cooking, great food paired with select wines - all at very reasonable prices. For the wine aficionado or gourmand, don't expect a fancy or complex wine list, just ask for wines to accompany the food and leave it at that! You won't be overwhelmed, disappointed or taken for a ride - expect a complete, authentic dining experience at a reasonable fair price. Our complete dinner with wine, shared starter and shared desert was about $30 per person including tip. Don't expect an itemized detailed bill - consider it as a price-fix meal.

The menu is recited by the server or written in marker on the white board if you happen to be seated at that end of the dining room - beef, foul, fish or game, with soup or salad, accompanied by side dishes served family style. With reasonable prices and such authenticity, go for the starter appetizers and deserts to take in all that is to offer for a complete dining experience.

On this visit there were ten of us allowing us too experience everything on offer - steak with blue cheese and butter, steak with olive oil and garlic, white fish with shrimp, rabbit with brown sauce, and chicken with white wine cream sauce. All were delicious, served with a side of cooked carrots and eggplant ravioli with herbs. The appetizers, a memorable pate and a nice delicate puffed pastry with cheese were exquisite. The chocolate gato (cake) desert with cream sauce was sinfully wonderful.

To accompany all the entrees and each course we had four different wines - two Southern Rhones, and two Burgundies. The Burgundies served up as accompaniments to dinner were thoughtfully selected wines, quality easy drinking, wonderfully and appropriately matched to the food.   While they don't boast or profess a wine cellar or extensive winelist, as with each previous visit, we were delighted by the wine courses. On this evening, we were treated to a red and wine Burgundy from the 2000 and 2003 vintages. The other two wines, two southern Rhones from the 1998 vintage were by pre-arrangement. 



The wines:

Domaine Santa Duc, Prestige des Hautes Garrigues Gigondas 1998 - 
This was the biggest of the four wines, even moreso than the Chateauneuf-du-Pape - and was a perfect accompaniment to the pate and the steaks. Dark color - medium - full bodied. As we work through this case in its 12th year, this wine seems to be more subdued but more balanced, integrated and polished than when younger. Still exhibiting full forward black berry, black cherry and hints of anise, slight earthy leather on a moderate firm tannin finish.

RM 90 points. 

http://cellartracker.com/w?8842 



Domaine De La Gardine Chateauneuf du Pape 1998 -

From one of the biggest private owned estates in Chateauneuf du Pape, this was medium bodied and complex - good with the pate, the steaks and rabbit dish as well as the chocolate desert.  Dark garnet color, medium bodied, with slightly tart red fruit, pepper, berry, mineral, spice nose; it was very tasty, balanced, slightly tart berry, blackberry, black cherry with mineral  palate, hints of earthy tobacco and cassis and a medium-plus finish. The blend is  60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 15% Syrah and 5% Muscardin.

RM 88 points. Consistent notes w/ earlier tastings.

92 point Wine Spectator: "Beautiful. Black in color, thick in texture, with delicious ripe fruit and silky, sweet tannins. This balanced, full-bodied Châteauneuf delivers harmony and pleasure from start to finish, although it emphasizes fruit over terroir." (11/02). 90 Points Robert Parker: "The 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape boasts a dense, saturated purple color, as well as an enticing, sweet nose of black fruits, licorice, and violets. Full-bodied, moderately tannic, and impressively concentrated, with a long finish, it will be at its finest between 2003-2016."

Gilles Noblet, Domaine De La Collonge, Macon-Fuisse 2003

Very fresh and acidulous nose of exotic fruits - lychee and subtle apple, with violet and white flowers notes. Great balance, ample and round with a mineral touch. Delicate and soft easy drinking to accompany the salad but supple and full enough to go with the fish and chicken dishes as well. 


What a delightful and fun wine. We learn that Domaine de la Collonge is situated in the village of Fuissé,  the heart of the Pouilly- Fuissé Appellation in the southern Mâconnais. This is Burgundy’s southernmost area and one of the most prestigious vineyards of the Maconnais. The estate has been handed down from father to son for four generations and is now run by Gilles Noblet who has improved it greatly. Gilles Noblet is among the most respected of a new-breed of Mâconnais producers. When he is not occupied with the volunteer fire department in Fuissé, he is busy tending the vines and the cellars of his Domaine de la Collonge. Noblet’s Domaine de la Collonge represents the best artisan traditions of the region: respect for the different “terroirs” of the domaine, low yields in the vineyards that total 9 hectares, meticulous winemaking that expresses both Chardonnay fruit and the characteristics of the vineyards’ earth, with a gentle (20-30%) touch of oak.

The Domaine consists of small parcels of approximately 3 hectares each in three appellations in a region dominated by high-volume cooperatives and the labels of negociant producers, Noblet’s wines show the quality that can be attained in this region with a more personal and artisanal approach. They serve as a reminder of why the Mâconnais region, and Pouilly-Fuissé in particular, originally gained popularity and notoriety for producing some of the world’s best loved and best value Chardonnays. The 2006 Pouilly-Fuissé from Gilles Noblet was named among the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2008.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=107292 


Louis Latour, Les Garans Cote-D'Or  Fleurie 2000

From the vineyard of Les Garans, situated to the north-east of the village of Fleurie, acknowledged as one of the finest sites for growing top quality grapes because of its combination of unique soil composition and specific microclimate. This wine is deliciously floral on the nose and possesses great smoothness on the palate with a wonderful balancing acidity. Deep red in colour with a clean and rounded bouquet of ripe red fruits. Structured, balanced and quite sinewy on the finish.  This was a nice balance to the bigger Gigondas and CDP and a perfect accompaniement to the rabbit with brown sauce, yet sufficiently delicate to pair nicely with the chicken.


http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1220396 

Previous visit to Le Petit Cafe.
 

Le Petit Cafe on the web ... http://www.lpc1977.com/home.html

Restaurant Tallent - Bloomington, Indiana - Wine and Dining Experience

Restaurant Tallent - Bloomington, Indiana

By far the standard bearer for fine dining in Bloomington, local natives and namesakes, David and Kristen Tallent take exquisite cuisine to a level one expects to find in finer restaurant mecca's New York or Chicago. Not surprising, since they studied at the C.I.A. - Culinary Institute of America in New York, then learned and refined their craft at fine restaurants there. At the C.I.A., David became learned in the Slow Food Movement using local, seasonal and organic ingredients.

David and Kristen initially opened Restaurant Tallent in 2003, then moved to the current location in 2007. David oversees the kitchen operations and develops the menu creations, while Kristen overseas the wine list, dessert menu and serves as pastry chef as well as General Manager. 

The menu creations are Indiana Hoosier cuisine with a sophisticated cosmopolitan flair. I tried the Indiana Strip Steak with Hash Brown Casserole, Asparagus, served in a Wild Mushroom Bordelaise. We also tried the seafood entree - the Alaskan Halibut with Creamed Cabbage & Ramps, Sunchokes, Corned Beef, and Maple Mustard Gastrique, and the Herbed Gnocchi with Spring Vegetables, Preserved Lemon & Pistachio Pesto. All the entrees were creative and superb. For starter we tried the Rye Whiskey Foie Gras Torchon with Rhubarb Jam, Bourbon Sherry Caviar and Cornmeal Waffle. The Foie Gras was exquisite, undone slightly by the overtly tangy sour Caviar and the bland underwhelming cornmeal waffle. Toast points would have better suited the elegance of the Foie Gras.

I called ahead early in the week after making dining reservations, to arrange corkage arrangements for a special vintage bottle selection from our cellar befitting a very special dining occasion. We were advised this is not allowed and then directed to the wine list selections. Alas, in choosing our entree and wine pairing, our wine selection had been removed from the wine list. Ironically, as is my custom before ordering, and then again when I discovered our wine choice was no longer offered, I had inquired whether there were any wine selections not shown on the winelist. I was admonished that the wine list was complete, and representative of all available selections. Only on insisting to investigate the availability of the particular wine we had chosen from the published on-line winelist were we presented with our original selection choice - albeit a different vintage, which had been removed from the published list, and which remains still on the on-line feature. Moreover, while having been advised ahead of time in our phone inquiry to refer to the winelist, and then advised that the winelist was indeed up-to-date and correct, our second selection from the published list presented at the table, supposedly updated just the day before, was not available. Clearly, their care and attention to detail in the precision and accuracy and presentation of both the on-line list and the published list provided at the table is lacking, overshadowed only by their disregard and lack of respect for the value a client may place on the import of selecting a favored and appropriate matching wine to accompany their dinner selection. Some diners, certainly wine geeks or aficionados, consider the wine experience an integral and important part of the dining experience. Expecting relative accuracy is not a long call considering the number of red wines offered numbers about thirty.

This unsettling discourse only set to magnify other service shortcomings of the evening - an entree served less than hot, empty water glasses, and in-attentive servers failing to check on progress or satisfaction of the meal. Never-the-less, the quality and imagination of the food selections and preparations were wonderful and warrant a visit, or a return trip.

Wines tasted:

Twomey Napa Valley Merlot 2006
Full bodied - dark inky ruby color -  fruit flavors of blackberry and black cherry, layer of spice and cedar with a hint of tobacco and dark chocolate on a finely polished tannin finish. RM 91 points.
Grapes sourced from Soda Canyon Ranch vineyards in southeast Napa Valley.
94% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc
Shown - 2004 vintage bottle.



Second wine selection choice, listed on offer but not available - Pahlmayer Napa Valley Red Wine 2006.

Raymond Sommelier Selection California Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
(Available by the glass)
Medium-full bodied, black cherry and brambleberry fruits with a layer of spice, tobacco, herb and hint of anise on a moderate tannin finish. RM 88 points.
Grapes sourced - 64% Napa County 27% Sonoma County 9% Lake County 
81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc

Restaurant Tallent were supporters of the Big Red Wine Fest a charity wine tasting to support Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington.

Restaurant Tallent
208 North Walnut Bloomington IN 47404
Phone - 812-330-9801

Hoosier Heartland Wine & Dine - B-Town Weekend Getaway

Hoosier Heartland Wine & Dine - B-Town Weekend Getaway 

A visit to Big Ten 'B-Town', Bloomington, Indiana. Weekend getaway to visit son Alec, IU Kelly B-school student, and to celebrate his (21st!) birthday .

Le Petit Cafe - Casual cultural dining - authentic Provencal Country French dining experience - food, ambiance, due to and brought by French hosts. Dinner with L, Erin & Lucy, Alec and buddies Zach and Jordan.

Selections are posted on a white board - a couple of starter selections - pate, cheese credite, entrees - beef, fish, chicken or pork. sides are family style - a starch and a veggie and a medley of deserts.

Wines are fundamentally simple, French - white or red, tastefully and creatively selected to accompany the dinner selections. The husband wife team share duties of cooking and serving.

Service is focused, genuine, attentive, and sincere.   

Louis Latour Morgon Les Charmes Beaune Cote-d-Or 1999

The suggested selection served with our meal. Pleasant easy drinking - medium light bodied - garnet color - black cherry fruits, dusty rose, hint of tobacco on a moderate, short tannin finish. A good value in a Pinot Noir wine.  

Nice complement to cheese, salad and the beef entries.

RM 88 points.

Viader Napa Valley Proprietary Red 1990

Alec's birth-year wine to celebrate his 21st birthday weekend. This wine was pre-arranged to be available for our special occasion dinner.

Very Bordeaux like - subdued black berry fruit, floral, leather, tobacco and a hint of spice layer on a moderate soft tannin finish.  Cabernet Sauvignon 68%, Cabernet Franc 32%.
RM 91 points.

Nice complement to the beef entries, chocolate deserts. 


 
The spectacular Viader Howell Mountain Estate was featured during our Viader Napa Valley Wine Experience 2008.

Delia Viader was featured at a Binny's an evening with Delia Viader vertical wine tasting in Lakeview, Chicago. 



More to come ...