Silvercreek Urbana Wine Dine Experience

Silvercreek Urbana Wine Dine Experience

Traveling cross-state we stopped enroute in Champaign/Urbana for a fine dining experience at Silvercreek Restaurant. Their website speaks to their Silvercreek Restaurant 'modern American cuisine' - 'quality interpretations of classic dishes using only the freshest ingredients from local farmers, or right from our own garden'. Their on-line menu featured many enticing selections, so we planned our route accordingly and called for reservations.

The Silvercreek website has only a terse mention of 200 wines on offer but no details so we took a chance on committing to the experience. Readers of this blog know that wine is a major determinant of our dining experience so imagine our delight when we arrived, settled in and were presented with an award worthy extensive wine list. It offers a respectable selection by region, varietal and includes a nice selection of WBTG - wine-by-the-glass, as well as a couple half bottles. Several of our favorite and reliable standby wines were available such as Napa Valley staples Robert Craig, Caymus, Silver Oak, and Seavey. But there was also a selection of French and other regions represented as well. Prices were a bit steep at two times retail which we would consider big city or Chicago prices.

I ordered the roasted duck with balsamic cherry jam, wild mushroom risotto, baby kale and arugula salad, while Linda ordered the Crispy Potato-Crusted Michigan Whitefish with carrots, grilled asparagus, pancetta, wild mushrooms and citrus cream. The offer of half bottles provided the perfect opportunity to select a quality red wine pairing for my entree, while  Linda could get a well matched white pairing for her fish. While convenient and accommodating for casual sipping, WBTG seldom offer premium or more sophisticated selections for a wine-dine pairing.

When asked how things were by the server, I admonished him that the wine was too warm, and the food too cool. The wine was room temperature which detracts from the enjoyment and discrimination of fruits. The food was warm, not hot, which in retrospect on viewing the pictures may be due to the fact they combined cool salad on the same plate as the hot entree, a practice I would avoid for just this reason.

I then ordered the multi-layered chocolate desert - dark chocolate over chocolate mousse over chocolate cake. This also was a great accompaniment to the Chateauneuf-du-Pape we orderd.

While delicious and a great pairing, it wasn't as moist or fresh as it could be, and begged to be served with au-lait or coffee, which inexplicably and regretably always seems to be served as a follow on course!

Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2010

As noted above, ordered from 375ml half bottle. I wrote the other day about the imperative of keeping Zinfandel in the cellar for the occasional pairing with BBQ. Another such collection note is to keep Chateauneuf-du-Pape (CDP) for game dishes such as duck, another natural perfect pairing. Duck and CDP are one of my favorite such pairings - the complexity and boldness and forward fruits of CDP with the bold forward flavors of duck and the bright expressive compote accompaniment.

Chateauneuf-du-Pape complexity comes from the fact that it is typically a blend of several grape varietals, as many as thirteen are sanctioned by the Appellation tenants, with bold fruit forward Syrah being one of the more predominant. This Chateauneuf cuvée represents classic terroir and representation from a strong vintage. This is a blend of Grenache (70%) and the rest of equal part Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault.

Dark purple colored, medium full bodied, complex but nicely balanced dark berry and black cherry fruits predominate with a layer of a mix of tones of black olive tapenade, garrigue, tree bark, spice, floral, hints of leather, anise and pepper with nice balance and smooth approachable tannins on the slightly acidic finish. 

RM 89 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/notes.asp?iWine=1225374

So what is garrigue? According to Dr Vinny of Wine Spectator - "Garrigue refers to the low-growing vegetation on the limestone hills of the Mediterranean coast, not the limestone itself. There are a bunch of bushy, fragrant plants that grow wild there, such as juniper, thyme, rosemary and lavender, and garrigue refers to the sum of them. Think herbes de Provence, or a mix of fresh minty-herbal notes with more pungent, floral fragrances." And of course Provence is the doorway to the Rhone River Valley of which Chateauneuf-du-Pape is the standard bearer premier wine region and style of the southern Rhone.

Linda's white fish was nicely prepared and tasty. We ordered the Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc by the glass which complemented nicely.

For desert Linda order the trio of creme-brulee - one of rigorous bold blueberry, one of pronounced orange peel, and one of chocolate. Had we known or internalized the ramekin portion size we would have shared. Regretably, the chocolate selection came with canned spray on creme rather than creme fraiche. Nevertheless they were tasty.

Overall, Silvercreek offered a trendy stylish building setting in the rustic historic building with open rafters, high ceilings, natural oak, and airy well lit window seating. The staff were students, who are still learning the trade and getting settled into the routine but were earnest, sincere and attentive. The overall food and wine experience was very pleasant and good quality, although if they're going to ask big city prices, they need to be slightly more attentive to the details. I suspect that as they get into the school season, they'll catch their stride. We look forward to visiting again.

http://www.couriersilvercreek.com/

Pichon Baron and Viader 'V' 1999 Flight

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron and Viader 'V' Highlight Birthday Surf-n-Turf Dinner

For a family gathering for a gala birthday dinner, L prepared the ultimate feast, lobster tails and filets of beef. To pair with the entree's we served Fritz Sonoma County Chardonnay and Pichon Baron Pauillac, one of my favorite reds. Following the Pichon we pulled from the cellar Viader 'V' Proprietary Red Blend from the same vintage for a mini horizontal comparison. Son Ryan brought from his cellar a Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape. To complete the dinner we had baked potatoes and sweet potatoes and haricut verts. We were joined by Ryan, Michelle, Erin, Johnnie and Marleigh, Lucy and Richie.

After dinner we had celebratory chocolate cake with ice cream. 

Bill and Beth joined later for the second round wines which also included a Groom Shiraz 2004 for the ladies while the men focused on the Bordeaux Blends.

Fritz Winery Sonoma County Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2008

Butter colored, medium bodied, slightly tart on opening with layer of acidity, tone of green apple, tropical fruits, hints of lemon and hints nutty almond. Tartness and acidity conflicted with lobster tail and lemon.

RM 86 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=772492






Château Pichon-Longueville Baron Pauillac Bordeaux 1999

Following the last couple UGC Bordeaux tastings where this wine was one of the standouts, I selected this from the cellar to showcase my birthday dinner. This is classic Bordeaux at its best. Even though we PNP - pop and poured this without decanting, it immediately resonated from the glass with classic Bordeaux bouquet and flavors of dark berry fruits, graphite, violets and hints of smoky tar, tobacco and cassis. Dark ruby  colored, medium bodied, polished and nicely balanced, soft and almost delicate for a Pauillac, the tongue coating fine tannins are silky smooth on the lingering finish. At sixteen, this is likely at its prime drinking now.

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2339





Viader 'V' Proprietary Red Blend 1999

We acquired a couple vintages of this limited release flagship Bordeaux Blend at the winery during our 2008 Napa Valley Howell Mountain Wine Experience, and then several more vintages at auctions. We met winemaker and principle Delia Viader at the Viader tasting at the Chicago Lakeview  Binny's.

I recall from the tasting at the winery that this blend features a higher percentage of Petit Verdot accented by Cabernet Franc, to compliment the Cabernet Sauvignon, which manifests itself as more firm, greater backbone and more predominant lead pencil graphite tones propping up the black fruits.

Dark blackish garnet colored, medium bodied, this opened with an obtuse acidic edge of black cherry that took a half hour to shed. Over the course of the hour it gained complexity and depth with concentrated black fruits punctuated by pencil lead, creosote and tobacco leaf. The longer it was opened the more it took on a layer of sweetness with tones of dark chocolate/mocha and sweet oak with gripping tannins on the moderate finish. This too is likely at its apex now at fifteen years.

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=25929

Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 2003

Son Ryan brought this from his cellar for our celebration dinner.

This was tight and a bit closed with the fruits subdued and overtaken by a layer of black tea, tobacco leaf, with hints of creosote over the black berry fruits. This needs bold zesty bar-be-que to offset the tight firm black fruits and non-fruit layer.

RM 87 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=19857










Groom Barossa Valley Shiraz 2004

Fruit for this wine comes from vineyards directly adjacent to the renowned Penfolds Kalimna vineyard - source for their legendary Grange Shiraz, the Groom Kalimna Bush Block was planted with Shiraz in 1997 and produced its first crop in the 1999 vintage, and from another reputable quality Barossa vineyard, the Fechner Vineyard, which is home to 50 year-old vines.

This was fuller and richer than I remember from other vintages, dark garnet colored, full bodied with concentrated blackberry and black raspberry fruits accented by ripe plum, turning to a layer of caramel/mocha, vanilla and spice with hints of tar and leather on a chewy gritty tannin lingering finish. 

RM 92 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=113265

http://www.groomwines.com/

Thanksgiving Dinner with Varied Eclectic Wine Course

Thanksgiving Dinner with Varied Eclectic Wine Course

Thanksgiving is a national holiday that centers on a special celebration dinner feast of classic American cuisine. The traditional menu is uniquely American and is a particular combination of offerings that seldom occurs at any other time - turkey, dressing, cranberry salad, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie...  Even the main course of turkey is rarely featured at any other time during the year. The dinner is based on the original Pilgrim harvest dinner which did not include wine as part of their menu, hence wine selection is based on the modern day food and wine pairing. It is no surprise that the wine tasting selections to accompany the once a year Thanksgiving meal always offers an adventurous wine selection challenge.

The characteristics of turkey and stuffing lends themselves to more neutral, low acidity, non-tannic, clean and crisp fruit filled flavorful wines. Suggested offerings tend towards white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc,  Semillon or a more outgoing forward varietal such as a Riesling or a spicy Gewurztraminer. For red wine lovers, fruit filled moderate bodied earthy spicy reds go well with the dark turkey meat, sweet potatoes and stuffing, robust fruit centered wines, lighter and more moderate to accompany the more delicate neutral white meat.

Finally, there is always a place for Champagne, especially on festive holidays, and most suitably with the white meats, hor d'ovres, appetizers and cheeses.

We started the wine course with the cheese course pairing  .. a sweet 'sticky' accompaniment to compliment the course of artisan cheeses - smoked Gouda, Bellavitano, berry infused goat cheese, and Regianno, with a selection of olives, peppers and pickles.

Tim Smith Barossa Botrytis Sémillon 2005

The Sémillon is a full bodied, heavy, low acidity grape that when held on the vine to full ripeness results in high sugar sweetness for thick syrupy almost oily textured dessert wines that have long aging potential. They are great for sipping with cheese, chocolates, salads or hearty cake desserts. Along with Sauvignon blanc and Muscadelle, Sémillon is one of only three approved white wine varieties in the Bordeaux region that is also popular in Australia. The grape is also key to the production of sweet wines such as Sauternes or in this case, Barossa Valley botrytis semillon.

Great accompaniment to the cheese course - apricot colored, full bodied, thick unctuous syrupy sweet nectar of ripe apricot papaya lychee fruit, accented by almond nut with a layer of smoke on the finish.

RM 89

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=871713

NV Pierre Gimonnet Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuis 1er Cru

Part of our holiday tradition is to serve authentic Champagne as part of the celebration of Thanksgiving for all the blessings that we recognize and for which we give thanks on this day. Of course authentic refers to the fact that only wine produced in the méthode champenoise sourced from grapes from the French Champagne region in northwest France is legally and appropriately labeled Champagne. Like last year, this 1st Cru Champagne is part of a case we acquired several years ago. Sourced from anywhere else, bubbly is simply 'sparkling wine'.  We visited Champagne during our Champagne Wine Experience 2006.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=39540

Chateau Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2003 

Ryan brought this classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape (CDP) for our celebration dinner. CDP is the wine growing appellation in the southern Rhone River valley in the area between the towns or Orange and Avignon in southeast France, up river, north of Marseille and Aix-en-Provence. The CDP appellation rules that control the wines allow for up to thirteen different grape varietals in the blend which typically feature Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mouvedre and are full, complex, gamy, earthy and spicy. We've collected Chateau Beaucastel going all the way back the 1978 vintage. Our visit to Château Beaucastel was one the highlights of our visit to the southern Rhone River wine region including Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 1998. 

The wine evolved over the course of the afternoon and only after an hour or so did it start to open and reveal its native character and style. Dark brownish garnet colored, medium bodied, complex dark berry and spicy black cherry fruits were muted initially but opened up after an hour, accented by pain grillé (toast), smoke, leather, with hints of creosote and licorice on a moderate tannin lingering finish. 

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=27759


Deep Sea Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2009

Translucent bright ruby color, light medium body, dusty rose with dark cherry fruit accented by brown spices, hints of black tea and tobacco leaf on a nicely balanced modest tannin finish.

RM 88 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1394338






Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Dark ruby colored, medium to full bodied, bright forward blackberry and blackcurrant fruits with spice, hints of vanilla and oak on a long with fine-grained tannin finish.

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1063509

http://www.chateautanunda.com/

Seven on Prospect Dinner Features Big Red Wine Flight

Seven on Prospect Gala Partner Dinner Features Big Red Wine Flight

For a gala partnership dinner at trendy Seven on Prospect in Peoria Heights, we sampled a big red wine flight. Two Napa Valley Bordeaux varietals were from the wine list which features a nice balanced collection of American wines - Whitehall Lane Merlot 2011 and Freemark Abbey Cabernet 2010. The flight of big reds was a perfect accompaniment to the perfectly prepared filets of beef.

The server at Seven did a wonderful job being attentive to and thoughtfully attending to our wine tasting. She offered to decant our bottles, provided multiple glasses, and served caringly and effectively. Kudo's to her and the proprietors at Seven for creating a wine friendly and effective service atmosphere and experience. While it seems simple, amazingly often, restaurants and servers fall short in addressing the basics, let alone the nuances of a wine dinner/event for wine aficionados. We'll definitely look forward to planning another wine event there.

For fun and to play on the 'security' theme of our discussions and dinner, and to play to our host Zac's fondness for big bold and expressive French blends, I took two bottles of Chateauneuf du Pape (CDP's). This also allowed for some fun with the mystery puzzler regarding the purpose of the 'notch' in the base rim of the bottles. Chateauneuf du Pape bottles feature the crossed keys emblem of Chateauneuf du pape molded into the glass of the bottle.

Normal or typical 'blank' wine bottles have no 'front' or back, the label can be affixed in any alignment on the bottles axis, and only then does the label determine what is the front face of the bottle. Chateauneuf du Pape bottles have the crossed keys molded into the glass (shown left) thereby determining the front face of the bottle. In order to ensure the label is affixed correctly to align with the glass feature, the bottom of the bottle has a notch in it to allow the automated labeling machine to detect and right the bottle accordingly so that the label is affixed squarely with the bottle feature.

Have some fun and challenge your dining guests to explain the notch in the bottom of the bottle the next time you serve such a bottle. Its a light hearted brain teaser.



Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 

We've collected Freemark Abbey wines since the eighties and have added the 2010 Cabernet to our vertical collection. We've visited the winery on several occasions including our visit during our Napa Wine Experience 2009. While Freemark Abbey has been taken over by well known Kendall Jackson, longtime winemaker Ted Phillips remains at the helm of wine making duties. Freemark Abbey sources fruit for this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from vineyards with diverse terroir in the Rutherford, Altas Peak, and Mount Veeder appellations. The 2010 bottling is blended with 13% Merlot and 3% Petite Verdot and spent 22 months in 40% new French oak before bottling.

Dark inky purpose color, full bodied, flavors of ripe dark cherry, red plum and blackberry fruit give way to spicy cinnamon, clove and hints of cedar, anise and pepper. After about an hour it burst with tones of sweet oak. It has firm but smooth finely integrated dry tannins on a lingering finish. This is exuberant in youth and will likely gain polish and balance with some age.

RM 91 points - 92 points from Wine Enthusiast and 91 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1555792

http://www.freemarkabbey.com/index.cfm




Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Merlot 2011

The family owned and operated Whitehall Lane sits prominently on Hwy 29, St Helena Hwy, at Whitehall Lane, south of the town of St Helena as you approach from the south.

The 2011 vintage of Whitehall Lane's Merlot includes 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah, which provide depth and structure to the wine. Aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for 18 months. The grapes were grown in the winery’s Estate Vineyard in Rutherford and select vineyards throughout Napa Valley.

Dark inky garnet colored, medium bodied, slightly forward cherry and dark berry fruits on the front palette fall off to a modest mid-palette, hints of spice and a layer of sweet oak on the moderate tannin finish. While not flawed, it lacks for a bit of body and depth of flavor. A bit obtuse, this wine may also settle and become a bit more approachable with some age.

RM 87 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1300450

 http://www.whitehalllane.com/


Finally we poured this Chateauneuf du Pape which rose above the Cabernet in power and intensity.

Domaine de la Solitude (Lançon Père et Fils) Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 

A classic CDP blended from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre with a bit of Cinsault. Dark garnet colored, full bodied, concentrated powerful rich sweet black and red fruits, ripe plum and dark cherry with tones of kirsch, mixed with spice, leather and smoke with a firm tannin finish.

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1217750

http://www.domaine-solitude.com/



Thanks Zac and team for a stimulating and productive day and for a delightful wonderful evening!

Tanunda 100 Year Shiraz - De la Gardine CDP for Barbecue Rib Dinner

Tanunda 100 Year Shiraz - De La Gardine CDP for Barbecue Rib Dinner

For barbecue rib dinner we pulled a California Syrah and a vintage Chateauneuf du Pape and friend Bill brought a classic Tanunda 100 year old vines Shiraz. Son Sean prepared a starter of classic Coquilles St-Jacques (Gratinéed Scallops). Coquilles St-Jacques simply means "scallops" in French.

For the scallops starter, Bill brought a Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Kabinett.

Dr. H. Thanisch Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Kabinett 1999

What a surprise in the vibrant bright fruit of this fifteen year old Riesling. The flavor profile was predominate sweet green apple turning to a layer of pear with bright nicely balanced acidity. It drank more like a spatlese with its full body and just the right amount of pleasurable sweetness.

RM 89 points.  

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1755394

http://www.thanisch.com/



Chateau Tanunda 100 Year Vines Shiraz 2008

Bill was generous to bring a bottle of this select wine from his cellar. We discovered this wine at the Wine Spectator Grand Tour in Chicago when it was being poured by Chateau Tanunda's Dagmar O'Neill. Only 100 cases were produced. We orchestrated a purchase of eight three packs in OWC's which we split amongst the wine team, pictured in this blogspot feature.

Bill's notes - "Still the best Shiraz I have tasted and there is a great deal of separation from number 2. Layered and complex with spice, granite, minerals on the palate with a touch of softness not usually expected in a Shiraz. Drinking beautifully now but will last for years."

WCC 96 points.

This is a huge thick chewy Shiraz. I can only think of a few that have been this dense and each of them are memorable tastings. It begs for a thick juicy steak or tangy barbecue. Full bodied, complex, concentrated, full lingering tannins predominate the dense, black and blue berry fruits with hints of liquorice, plum and spice and spicy oak.

RM 93 points.  

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=937673

http://www.chateautanunda.com/

Château de la Gardine Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1998

Working through aged bottles in my cellar, I pulled this sixteen year old CDP with it flattened side almost squarish shaped bottle to accompany the ribs. This is the last and final bottle of a case I purchased upon release following my trip to CDP and the Rhone River Valley back in 1999. This property is one of the biggest private owned estates in Chateauneuf du Pape.

It took an hour for this to open and reveal its fruits. Of course tasting it alongside the big Tanunda Old Vines exacerbated the difference. This was more old world style with greater complexity and breadth reflecting the blend.

This was medium bodied and dark garnet colored - complex slightly tart black and red fruits, hints of earthy, leather, pepper, with 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 old world Southern Rhone CDP style with 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 15% Syrah and 5% Muscardin.

RM 88 points. Consistent notes w/ earlier tastings.

It got 92 points from Wine Spectator who cited its "Beautiful. Black color, thick texture, with delicious ripe fruit and silky, sweet tannins." Robert Parker gave it 90 Points and enphasized its "dense, saturated purple color, .... enticing, sweet nose of black fruits, licorice, and violets." He pegged the drinking window between 2003-2016.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=52699

http://www.gardine.com/en/home

David Arthur 1147 Biale Zin Beaucastel Highlight Rib Dinner

David Arthur 'Elevation 1147', Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel, Chateau Beaucastel CDP Highlight Rib Dinner

Another summer barbecue rib dinner offers chance to sample a flight of big reds. Bill and Beth C hosted the dinner and featured Robert Biale Black Chicken Napa Valley Zinfandel and David Arthur 1147 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. I brought a Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1996.

Mike Rijken pouring
at Château Beaucastel

Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1996

I first tasted this vintage of this wine in a cellar tasting at the Chateau (shown left) during my visit to Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 1998. The picturesque Domains Perrin Beaucastel estate and vineyards was one of the highlights of that trip. There is more on Beaucastel and that visit on an earlier blogpost.

I still hold a half case of this wine and it appears to be time to drink up as it seems to be at the apex of its tasting/aging curve. It will be interesting to do a horizontal tasting of the other wines that I still hold that were featured and collected from that trip, notably, Chateau La Nerthe and Vieux Telegraph.

My tasting notes and score are consistent with earlier tasting which was posted in 2010. The color is opaque dark ruby, the nose is subdued, this is medium bodied and shows layers of rather austere black berry and black cherry fruits accented by subtle black pepper giving way to slightly earthy leathery red fruit on a meaty acidic tannin finish.

RM 88 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=5098

http://www.beaucastel.com/en/





Robert Biale Black Chicken Napa Valley Zinfandel 2011

This is another big Napa Zinfandel from Robert Biale vineyards that was featured in a recent earlier blogpost highlighting a rib dinner at Bill and Beth's at the beginning of the summer.

Not quite as big or polished as the 2011 Party Line Zinfandel we had a few weeks ago, this was still a big, forward black fruit filled Zinfandel with brambly, zesty black pepper tones and a spicy leathery finish.

RM 89 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1575870




David Arthur Elevation 1147 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

This is the flagship wine of David Arthur, named for the elevation of the vineyards up on the eastern slope overlooking the Napa Valley floor (shown left) from up on Pritchard Hill.

Our visit to the David Arthur winery was a highlight of our Napa Wine Experience 2013 featured in an earlier blogpost in April of this year.

With dark inky purple color and full body, this opened with big, concentrated, complex, rich, chewy, tongue coating forward ripe black berry and black raspberry fruits. Then something happened and it shut down and closed up somewhat about an hour and some after opening and decanting. It still had a layer of sugary sweetness with tones of mocha and black licorice and a whisper of black pepper on a silky smooth tannin finish.

I'd like to see how this reveals itself a day later but we finished  it last night! While this should be considered a perfect complement to a hearty grilled steak - it stood up and was well suited to the barbecue ribs.

This started out as a blockbuster 95 pointer before it retreated as noted above, yet still warrants a most respectable 94 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=14142

http://www.davidarthur.com/

Graduation celebration wine tasting flight

Graduation Celebration Wine Tasting Flight  - featuring 1990 vintage birthyear wines

Gala celebration of son Alec and his roommates' graduation from Indiana U, Kelly School of Business, featuring specially selected wine flight of namesake or other memorable wines saved for the occasion. Tasted with son Alec, siblings Sean with Megan, Erin and Alec's room-mates Matt and Nate, and all the parents, L & I, Lisa & Kipp and Jill & Jerry, other grads and assorted friends. .

Matt, Nate, Alec
Lisa S pic

The wine accompanied a potluck dinner featuring pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken, twice baked potatoes, salads, fruit and cake. From one of our favorite producers, Randy Lewis who also happens be be a former Indy 500 race car driver, Alec's Blend, Napa Valley Red Wine 2003, named for his Randy's first grandson. Another of our favorite wines from a favored producer, Mollydooker, Blue Eye'd Boy Mclaren Vale Shiraz 2006.

The wines
Lisa S Pic

Three special wines to celebrate our son Alec; the first, Michel Loriat Blanc de Noir Reserve Brut Champagne as a remembrance of our Champagne Wine Experience 2006 trip with Alec to Champagne France celebrating his High School graduation, taking advantage of his studies and fluency in French; also tasted were two birthyear vintage selections, from Napa and France: Domaine Boisrenaud Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1990, and Viader Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine 1990.

Our collection of birthyear wines for each of our kids' birthyears were the subject of our feature in the Collecting section of Wine Spectator, June 2001 issue. See it recreated on our WineSite at unWindwine.com. 


More to follow...The wines ....

Michel Loriot Blanc de Noirs Reserve Brut Champagne NV -

RM 89 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=337891 


.

Lewis Cellars Alec's Blend Napa Valley Red Wine 2003 

Dark inky color, full bodied, complex nicely integrated and polished layers of black berry, hints of black cherry and blueberry, mocha and spice with layer of soft lingering tannins.

RM 92 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=98918

Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy McLaren Vale Shiraz 2006

Big brooding full bodied, dark inky purple color, aromas of earth and raisin, forward layers of tongue coating ripe black and blue berry fruits, glycerin, hints of clove and cinnamon spices on a lingering soft tannin finish.

RM 92 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=329511

Domaine de Beaurenard, Paul Coulon et Fils, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Boisrenard 1990

Medium to full bodied, slight earthiness and leather accompany layers of black and green pepper that accompany the slightly subdued black cherry and black berry fruits with a hint of spice, moderate lingering tannins.

RM 89 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=30341

Viader Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine 1990-
Very Bordeaux like - medium to full bodied, slight rust hue setting in, slight earthiness and leather accompanies the black berry and black cherry fruits, floral, hint of tobacco and black olive on a moderate tannin finish. 

RM 89 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=135441

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

We tasted this wine with proprietor and winemaker Delia Viader who was featured at a Binny's an evening with Delia Viader vertical wine tasting in Lakeview, Chicago.

Robert Craig Affinity Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=6322

Perennial favorite high QPR (quality to price ratio) wine - we own this label going back to the inaugural vintage in 1993. We've featured Robert Craig at numerous tasting events and visited the Napa town tasting room and the winery atop Howell Mountain for harvest parties and special tastings. See our winery visits at Robert Craig Napa Howell Mountain Wine Experience 2008, and Robert Craig Howell Mountain Harvest Party '09, See our Robert Craig featured wine producer dinners during our Napa Wine Experience 1998 and Napa Wine Experience 1999.

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

Domaine du Pesquier Gigondas Southern Rhone River Valley Blend - 1999 - Syrah from the New World and Old

Domaine du Pesquier Southern Rhone River Valley Gigondas 1999 - Syrah - new world and old

We discovered Gigondas ((jhee-gon-dahs) during our visit to the Southern Rhone River Valley region in 1998. Gigondas produces red wine grapes, the most predominant being Grenache and best known being Syrah along with the lesser known Rhone varietals Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Carignane. Grenache is the main grape, making up to (but not to exceed) 80% of the wine, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault make up the remainder, although some other Cote-du-Rhone varietals may be found in small amounts. A small amount of dry spicy Rosé is produced but not seen much in the export market.

Domaine du Pesquier Gigondas regularly receives high marks from Wine Spectator and other reviewers. The 1999 received the highly acclaimed 'Spectator Selection' (SS) from Wine Spectator upon release and review. At a release price of $20 this represented high QPR - (Quality to Price ratio) and great value for such a rating and distinction. 

As Wine Spectator gave this a 'SS' and a Rating of 94 I'll refer to their review. "Rich and ripe, a lovely and seductive Rhône red. Packed with wild herb, plum and blackberry complexity, it caresses the palate with its rich fruit and silky tannins. Full-bodied, with mineral, slight smoke, leather and game character on the finish." 

Ten years later, here is my review of this wine now. "Starting to show its age - a slight brownish grey tinge on the dark garnet color - leather, game, smoke,  and layers of herb and anise and a hint of earthy cedar taking over from the berry, black cherry and spice. - RM 88 points.  

Earlier Reviews - " RM Review - A bit awkward - bright berry, black cherry, subtle leather, pepper and herb."

"Intense chewy peppery blackberry and layer of anise." 

Gigondas is the appellation above and adjacent to the more famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhone River valley wine region in southeast France. Gigondas is situated under the rugged, rocky range of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The vineyards of Gigondas are planted on hillsides at the foot of Mont Ventoux, directly north-east of the town of Orange. Venture up to the top of the mountain to the very picturesque village of Segurat overlooking the valley below. The region, once a Cotes-du-Rhone village, gained its own appellation in 1971.

Picturesque Le Ville Segurat overlooking the Gigondas
and Vacqueyras Appellations of the Southern Rhone

We toured Gigondas during our visit to the region in 1998. Gigondas produces red wine grapes, the most popular and best known being Syrah along with the lesser known Rhone varietals Mourvedre, Grenache, and Carignane. Grenache is the main grape, making up to (but not to exceed) 80% of the wine, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault make up the remainder, although some other Cote-du-Rhone varietals may be found in small amounts. A small amount of dry spicy Rosé is produced but not seen much in the export market.

Our hotel - Chateau Fine Roches Hotel and Winery
in Chateauneuf-du-Pape - a magnificent rustic
Chateau and starting off point.

Poor man's Chateauneuf-du-Pape? Gigondas wines tend to offer great values compared to the pricier higher profile Chateauneuf-du-Pape (CDP) wines which are more complex and sophisticated in that they are comprised of a blend of up to twelve different varietals authorized in that appellation.

Gigondas tend to be less polished, less complex and less ageworthy than CDP's as they tend to be big, bold and robust, fruit filled, forward spicy, leathery rustic edgy flavored wines that are not for the feint of heart. Gigondas' top quality reds sometimes rival its southwest neighbor, Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Top Gigondas wines will age for up to 10 or 15 years, although they are able to be enjoyed young if you like robust wines. They will benefit from at least three years of cellaring. Many Gigondas are predominantly Grenache which is not recommended for extended aging. Some other popular Gigondas producers commonly found in the US are Chateau Saint Cosme, Guigal, Perrin et Fils, Raspail Ay, Montirius and Domaine des Espiers.

Visiting Domaine De Longue Toque
in Gigondas

Perhaps the best known and most popular varietal from the Southern Rhone Valley wines is Syrah which has become immensely popular in Australia where they produce big, bright, bold full flavored  fruit forward wines. Note Syrah is also known down under as Shiraz. We also now find Syrah being produced in limited quantities in California, mostly in Paso Robles area and some in appellations in northern California, including Napa Valley.

Lagier-Meredith Napa Valley
Mt Veeder Syrah is produced in
the Rhone Style

Stephen Lagier and Carole Meredith produce their Lagier-Meredith label Syrah based Rhone style wines from their mountain top estate high above Yountville on Mt Veeder in Napa Valley. As we are such huge fans of Syrah and Shiraz, I always wondered about the differences in the various Syrah/Shiraz varietals from the old world (France) and the new world (Australia and the US). I found the answer during our visit to Lagier-Meredith Vineyards in Napa Valley during our Mt Veeder tour this spring.

Stephen Lagier and
Carole Meredith

Carole Meredith was a professor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California at Davis where she conducted research in grape genetics. Her research group used DNA typing methods to discover the origins of some of the greatest old wine varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Syrah. Carol Meredith is a geneticist and has studied and specializes in the Syrah varietal. She attests the Syrahs from Australia and Napa are the same as their ancestors from the old world Rhone River valley where they have been grown since the 16th Century. Lagier-Meredith produce Syrah varietal wines that are true to their heritage as they strive to produce wines in the traditional Rhone style.

Domaine du Pesquier is operated by  3^th and 4^th generation at the domain owners Guy and his son Mathieu Boutière who has an education (BTS) from wine schools. The bottling at the domain started in 1969 and includes today 2/3 of the production. The domain covers 23 ha. of vineyards. 16 ha is Gigondas, the rest is Vacqueyras (1 ha.), Cotes du Rhone (1,2 ha) and Vin du Pays de Vaucluse (5 ha.). They produce wines in Gigondas, Vacqueryas, Cotes due Rhone and VDP.

Domaine du Pesquier Wines:

Gigondas - 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre.
Aged in foudres for 12-18 months.

Vacqueyras - 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah. 80% is aged in foudres for 12-18 months.

Cotes du Rhone - 70% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre and 10% Carignan/Cinsault.

VDP - 45% Syrah, 45% Merlot and 10% Grenache.

 

If you travel to Gigondas and wish to visit
Domaine du Pesquier:

Address: Le Pesquier 84190 Gigondas
Tel. 490 65 86 16
Direct sale: Monday - Saturday 9.00-12.00 and 14.00-19.00
Email: domainedupesquier@free.fr