Vin'tij Sandestin Steak and Wine Dinner

Vin'tij Sandestin Steak and Wine Dinner

Visiting The Cove, our Destin (FL) vacation rental, we dined with friends/neighbors Richard and Victoria for dual birthdays at Vin'tij Wine Bar in tony Grand Boulevard in Sandestin. Vin'tij have a carefully curated selection of fine wines available for purchase for take-home, or, for consuming with selections from the menu in the restaurant. 

I wrote about Vin'tij in these earlier blogposts … 

Delightful wine lunch at Vintij Grand Boulevard

Wine tasting at Vin’Tij Grand Boulevard (San)Destin

Vin’Tij SanDestin Food and Wine Dinner

Planning on selecting prime filet beefsteaks for our entree’s, I got there early and spent time reviewing their wines for a dinner accompaniment/pairing. I was seeking a complex red blend, expressive and full flavored, but nicely integrated and polished for pleasurable drinking and pairing with dinner, While they have many producers and labels that we own or know well, I was also ideally seeking a new discovery producer or label. 

Finally, I ended up selecting a label that stepped up and met all the above criteria, and expectations for pairing with dinner, thereby enhancing the enjoyment of both (food and wine).  Richard brought from his home cellar, BYOB a St Julien Bordeaux Blend. Both wines were ideal complements paired with the grilled beefsteaks, ameliorating the enjoyment of both the wines and the food. 

As planned, three of us ordered the grilled filet of beef, each with an individual selection of sides and sauces. 

I ordered my steak prepared ‘Pittsburgh style’, hot pink center with some charring. For sides I selected mashed potatoes and asparagus spears, with lemon caper butter sauce on the side. . 

Richard brought a bottle from his home cellar, a Bordeaux Blend from our favorite appellation, St Julien, another ideal pairing with the dinner. Anticipating, (correctly), that this would be more subdued than the more aggressive Napa Valley label, we opened the Bordeau first and had it decanted. 

Domaine Martin Château Gloria St Julien Bordeaux 2019

The Château Gloria St Julien Bordeaux estate sits on 2-4 rue Marie Amélie, right off the main highway in the village of Beychevelle/St Julien, across the road from the legendary Second Growth Château Ducru Beaucaillou, which is adjacent Château Beychevelle and across the road from Château Branaire Ducru, all properties we visited and toured during our St Julien Bordeaux Experience back in 2019.

Our spectacular week in St Julien included visits to several of our favorite St Julien producers, Second Growths Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou,  Léoville du Marquis de Las Cases,  Gruaud Larose and Léoville-Poyferré, as well as Fourth Growths Château Beychevelle and Château Branaire-Ducru. 

The Domaine Martin estate was established by Henri Martin, who was actually born at nearby Château Gruaud-Larose in 1903 into a family that has been in the wine business for 300 years.

At the end of the 1930s, he made his first acquisition of one hectare of land, the first in a life-long series of vineyard acquisitions from nine classified growths in Saint-Julien and Pauillac. Henri targeted small parcels of exceptional vineyards belonging to estates whose main vineyard holdings were distantly remote thereby making them costly to manage.

Château Gloria was established and developed during the second half of the twentieth century, the name inspired by a neighboring property, The Gloria. By the 1980’s he had collected and assembled 108 acres of vineyards surrounded by plots of famous neighbors with century old historic Grand Crus Classés en 1855.  

The 108 acres of vineyards enjoy the classic St Julien terroir, amongst the best of the appellation. The property is planted with 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. With 80-year-old vines and 30-year-old vines, the average age is around 45 years old. 

Over recent years, the property has been upgraded with the latest high tech equipment and a new natural cellar in 2000. The wines are now produced by a team under the direction of Director Jean Triaud, Technical Director Remy Di Constanzio, formerly technical director of Ch. Cos D’Estournel, and Cellar Master Philippe Blanchard. 

While Saint-Julien is the smallest of the major appellations of the Médoc, with 2250 acres of vines, it has the greatest concentration of 1855 classified growths with eleven. 

Château Gloria has become an over-achiever developing wines that provide great QPR (quality price ratios). 

The 2019 release was a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested from September 30th until October 4th, 34% Merlot, harvested from September 23rd until the 25th, 6% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. 

This 2019 release was awarded 96 points by Vinous, 95 by Jane Anson and Jeb Dunnuck,  93-95 by Chris Kissack, 94 by Decanter, James Suckling and Wine Spectator, and 93 by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and the Wine Independent. 

Dark garnet colored, medium full bodied, polished and elegant, savory blackberry and black currant fruits accented by black olive, crushed rocks, tobacco, graphite, earth and hints of soy and cassis ending in a  long and spicy finish. 

RM 91 points. 

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/3661571

https://www.domaines-henri-martin.com/en/brand/chateau-gloria/

We then moved to the Napa red blend … 

Torcia Napa Valley Red Blend 2019

This is from the family owned and managed Rutherford Wine Company who produce a broad portfolio of wines that showcases the diversity of California’s premier growing regions. They produce wines sourced from appellations that include Napa Valley, Arroyo Seco, Lodi and the Central Coast, all wines are finished and bottled at the family’s Napa Valley winery, the old Round Hill Winery on south Silverado Trail in Rutherford, Napa Valley, south of Zinfandel Lane, just north of Rt 128. .

The Rutherford Ranch Winery sits on the site of the original Round Hill Winery that was founded in 1978 by Ernie Van Asperen, Virginia Van Asperen and Charlie Abela. When the Van Asperens retired in 2000, Marko and Theo Zaninovich, long-time shareholders with the Van Asperen family, acquired the winery.I recall having Van Asperan and Abela Cabernets back in the 1990’s. 

The estate vineyards were replanted with superior vines and the winery and tasting room were renovated, sitting amidst the estate’s 100-year-old olive grove.

The broad Rutherford Wine Company portfolio consists of brands Rutherford Ranch, Scott Family Estate, Predator, TORCIA, Rhiannon, the original Round Hill, Four Virtues, Silver Buckle and Lander-Jenkins.

Torcia means ‘Torch,’ lighting the pathway of our senses and the search for excellence. This Napa Red Blend is crafted by Rutherford Wine Company, operated across multiple generations by the Zaninovich Family.  

The Torcia brand consists of a single vineyard Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines crafted from six appellations throughout the Napa Valley – Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak, Spring Mountain, Coombsville, Rutherford and Carneros.

Winemaker’s notes - “This Torcia Red Blend Napa Valley is a bold and expressive red wine from California. It features flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, and a hint of spice, with firm tannins and a long, smooth finish. This red blend pairs well with grilled meats, hearty stews, and aged cheeses. Serve at room temperature to enjoy its rich and complex profile.’

“This red wine has an intense and vibrant purple hue with notes of anise, Luxardo cherries, fresh lavender and other floral notes. Savory flavors mingle with hints of graphite, dried fig and candied plums. Youthful tannins dance on the palate giving lively, electric texture perfect for drinking now or for aging.”

The composition of this blend is 55% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 16% Petite Sirah and some Malbec and Petit Verdot. It was aged in French and American oak.

This release was awarded 96 Points by The Tasting Panel Magazine, 92 Points by Jeb Dunnuck, and 90 Points by Wine and Spirits Magazine.

Bright purple ruby colored, full bodied, firmly structured, full, round, forward, vibrant on the verge of being slightly obtuse, black berry and black cherry fruits with notes of spicy cinnamon, bsking spices, black tea, slate, cedar and hints of cardaman and white pepper with chewy firm tannins on the long bright finish. 

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?4346021

https://rutherfordwine.com/torcia/

https://rutherfordranch.com/

https://vintij.com/

Father-Son Steak Wine Dinner

Father Son Boy's Night Wine Steak Dinner

A wine adventure, we held a 'boy's night' Father-son (s) wine dinner. What a treat and joy to do so with all three sons in attendance. With son Sean just home from the hospital after some major stuff, now on the mend, sibling Alec came in from New York, and brother/son Ryan came over for the gathering. It was Ryan's birthday last week so we ventured down to the cellar to pull a 'birth-year' wine from the few remaining in the collection for his vintage.

We discussed the possibility of doing a 'vertical' tasting, a wine from the same label from each of their birth years. It would be possible from our cellar collection but only in larger format Magnums, obviously too much for as intimate small group tasting as it was. Notably, at some point we could, and need to do a tasting of all the kids birthyears as we have in our collection one from each, magnums of Silver Oak, Chateau Palmer and Gruaud Larose.

For the 1982 vintage we found a time-to-drink Chateau Gloria St Julien. For a near '85 we pulled a 1986 Chateau Clerc Milon Pauillac. We should've pulled a '90 vintage for son Alec's birthyear but opted to stick to just the two bottles. Notably, too, remarkably, or perhaps shamefully, our cellar records show we hold more than 180 bottles in no less than 65 different labels from that vintage! Need a party or special occasion! (I am certain this number is exaggerated and doesn't reflect earlier consumption and numerous bottles 'thinned' and liquidated from the cellar at auctions when their market price points peaked during the last decade.) 

Eventually in a quest for something 'younger', we pulled a Paradigm Napa Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon from the 1994 vintage.

Later after I (Dad) went to bed, the boys pulled and tasted one of our favorite Syrah's, Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz 2005. Half of that bottle remains that we'll enjoy with tonight's dinner.

Chateau Gloria St Julian Bordeaux 1982

The cork on this bottle was a challenge as it was saturated and soft but initially intact. ryan used an Ahso (two pronged puller) to extract it and the bottom tip of the extended extra long cork eventually separated and remained deep in the neck. I was able to extract it using a traditional corkscrew, inserting it into the edge between the bottle and the cork and gently wedging it out.

We decanted and aerated the bottle. It was initially closed but opened after about ninety minutes. Initial indications suggested the bottle might be tainted or over the hill, somewhat murky with a brownish rust colored tinge on the dark garnet color. While it never cleared, the cherry and currant fruits revealed themselves and by the time the grilled strip steaks were ready, this was consumable, albeit past its drinking window and just hanging on for remaining drinking life. The fruits had given way to leather, black olive and earth tones. It was a worthwhile and acceptable complement to the steak, baked potato grilled asperagus.

For some reason, this was offensive and repulsive, conflicting with the chocolate silk pie. So be it.

While it was never an expensive or long lived collectable bottle, the fact we found one lurking in the cellar was fun and it contributed to the wine dinner experience. For what its worth, we didn't even have this bottle in our cellar records. We found it searching for another bottle.

RM 85 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=22703


Chateau Clerc Milon Pauillac 1986

At 32 years this is outside its prescribed drinking window, past its prime but still approachable, remarkably holding its own, but time to drink up. Back in 2002 Parker wrote that "while this wine should age well for another two decades, it has matured faster than many of the 1986 Pauillacs".

The cork started to collapse as soon as I pressed on it but I was able to work it out, slowly rocking the 'Ahso' (two prong cork puller) between opposite sides to extract it fully. It was soft and saturated but intact.

Note the original price still affixed to the bottle, $32.99 on release back in 1989, on sale for $29.99. The pricetag tells me I obtained this at the old legendary Sam's in Chicago.

Decanted and aerated but needed a couple hours to open up, dark garnet colored, medium bodied, plum and cherry fruits initially subdued and overshadowed by leather and black olive, eventually popping with some bright vibrancy with tones of cedar and spicy clove with hints of bacon fat, pepper and anise, turning to some modest tannins on the short finish. This is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

On release this got 97 points from Wine Spectator in 1989 and was Ranked #2 on the Top 100 Wines of 1989. Robert Parker gave it 90 points and Jancis Robinson gave it 17.5/20 points. I gave it 88 which is remarkable at this late stage of life.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=16448


Paradigm Napa Valley Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 1994

We tasted and acquired this wine during our visit to the winery during our Napa Wine Experience 1999. This was the or close to the inaugural vintage of this wine and is the last of the bottles we hold in our cellar of this vintage label.

This is showing remarkably well at 24 years of age showing no signs of diminution. This may be at its apex of drinkability and will no doubt not improve with further aging. But there should be no rush to consume these either. We acquired a case of this wine upon release and the remaining bottles are in perfect condition with corks and fill levels still being optimal.

Tonight was consistent with my last tasting of this vintage label date back to 8/30/2009 when I posted this. "Dark inky color. forward fruit flavors of black cherry, with a bit with earth and leather emerging over the subtle currant, ripe plum, cedar and a hint of anise on a moderate finish."

https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2018/03/paradigm-napa-valley-cabernet-1994.html

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=5051

Kilikanoon Oracle Claire Valley Shiraz 2005

The boys opened this after I went to bed but left me some which we enjoyed the next evening.  I am finding these aged Aussie Shiraz's hold up for several days and may be better the day after or the day after that!

This is one of our favorite Shiraz's in our cellar collection. Shiraz is the second highest volume varietal in number of bottles in our collection after Bordeaux varietals (which includes Cabernets (Sauvignon and Franc), Merlot, and the 'lesser' varietals Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.

Our collection of Syrahs aka Shiraz', represent Australia, Washington State, California and the French Rhone River Valley, upper and lower.

This producer, Kilikanoon was awarded Australian Wine Producer of the Year by the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) for the fifth time in eight years that Kilikanoon was internationally recognised as Australian Winery of the Year, (previously by James Halliday in 2013 and Germany’s Mundus Vini in 2010, 2017 and 2018).

This Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz 2005 was awarded best Shiraz in the World at the International Wine Challenge, one of three times to be so recognized, in 2001 and the 2014 Oracle Shiraz was awarded the Shiraz Trophy for best Shiraz in the world. 

Oracle is composed from select old vine fruit grown along the estate-owned Golden Hillside Vineyard in Leasingham in the Clare Valley in South Central Australia. Oracle was the first Shiraz released by Kilikanoon’s Founder and Chief Winemaker Kevin Mitchell in the inaugural 1997 vintage and has been released each year except 2011.

This 2005 was consistent with earlier tasting notes back in May and previous last entry back in 2009 when this wine was only five years old. Now three times that age, it still presents the massive blackberry liqueur accented by full bodied blueberry, notes of kirsch, expresso and hints of cinnamon and clove spices.

Dark blackish garnet colored with full body and fine grained approachable well integrated tannins on the long lingering finish. Over the years since the earlier tasting, the berry fruits are starting to give way to a notes of raisin and hints of leather.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=396281