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
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.
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
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
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
