Kokomo Chardonnay at Entourage DG
Saturday night out, we returned to Entourage DG (Downers Grove) with friends/neighbors Richard and Edessa.
Downtown Downers Grove was bustling and Entourage was hopping, lively and highly energized, full to capacity, as one would expect on a weekend night.
We were able to promptly secure a table based on agreeing to be finished at the allotted time, to allow them to honor their commitment to a pre-arranged party in the rear dining room, which we happily obliged.
We were served by Jim who showed amazing articulation of the menu selections and special’s offerings. A journeyman with roots in the western suburbs, it was fun reminiscing about growing up in earlier days in downtown Downers Grove and Elmhurst.
We were joined by host/owner/proprietor Anthony Vai, fun catching up on happenings and successes at Entourage Restaurant Group, on family and common acquaintances, and ruminating on some Chicago architecture and history based on the fabulous screenshots on the wall video board.
We also got to hear and gain insights on some of the culinary science in formulating and preparing and updating some of our favorite dining options, notably the Chilean Seabass, Truffle Risotto and the newly crafted sauce, and the Lobster Shrimp Rigatoni, and the signature Waygu Beef meatloaf creation which I blogged about from our visit last week -Fontanafredda Barolo with Meatloaf at Entourage DG.
GM Katherine was on duty and checked in and we got to catch up with her as well.
Not surprisingly, I ordered what has become one of my absolute favorites, the Signature Miso Marinated Chilean Seabass with Broccolini, Charred Peppers, Shiitake Mushrooms and Black Truffle Risotto, Yuzu and the new offering approach, Lemon Butter Sauce.
I wrote last month in Spectacular dining experience at Entourage Restaurant Downers Grove, that this was extraordinary, delicious in all respects, the fish artfully prepared and served hot, and the Black Truffle Risoto was spectacular. I love it all, the harmony and synthesis of the many artfully crafted robust flavors. Edessa also ordered it and was equally impressed and pleased.
Linda and Richard both tried and raved about the Lobster and Shrimp Rigatoni with Tomato, Spinach, Charred Jalapeño and Lemon in White Wine Parmesan Cream Sauce with Roasted Garlic Toast.
Both were pleasantly surprised to discover the lobster medallion tail topping the dish, understated in the menu description, a nice surprise in preparation and presentation!
Anthony was surprised I didn’t bring BYOB from our extensive cellar, but I had reviewed on-line the limited but carefully selected wine list, and planned to try a new label.
Kokomo “Peter’s Vineyard” Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast California Chardonnay 2022
Family owned and operated
Kokomo Winery was started by Owner and Winemaker Erik Miller in 2004, a fellow Hoosier who named it after his hometown of Kokomo, Indiana, which is near Linda’s hometown and family farm in North Central Carroll County, Indiana. (Funny, they showcase their “Boilermaker” collection of wines, honoring the Purdue Boilermakers’, mascot of the Big Ten University not far from Linda’s family homestead, arch rival to our beloved Indiana University “Hoosiers”, but the one she grew up supporting.)
The Winery sits on the East side of Dry Creek Valley, twenty miles north of Santa Rosa, off the main route 101, midway between the towns of Healdsburg and Geyserville. The winery and tasting room is located at Timber Crest Farms, sitting amid 120 acres of vineyards, overlooking the valley.
Kokomo produces over a dozen different varietal wines and several single vineyard designated labels which are farmed by his partner in the winery, grower Randy Peters. Kokomo Wines strive to showcase the terroir of the their vineyard sources in the three distinctive appellations of Sonoma County - Russian River, Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys. They also offer some wines sourced from the Sonoma Valley Moon Mountain District.
This Peter’s Vineyard Designated label is 100% Chardonnay sourced from a site in the Russian River Valley, west Sebastopol, next to Luther Burbank's Farm where the soil is rich with Goldridge sandy loam. There the vines are exposed to consistent coastal fog, which calls for extended hang time and more development for the fruit.
I was a bit hesitant to order this bottle, especially to be paired with such a magnificent dinner, since our awareness of Kokomo is more modest entry level wines, less discriminating than the premium and ultra-premium labels we tend to enjoy.
We see their entry level labels widely distributed but have never had any of their more premium labels. Note they show two dozen different offerings on their website. Never-the-less I gave it a shot and found it to be an over-achiever to my perception of the brand, meeting our hopeful expectations for suitably pairing with our dinner.
Winemaker notes for this release: “Reminiscent of a classic white Burgundy but with a California twist, this Chardonnay displays vibrant minerality accompanied by the mouth-watering natural acidity typically found in Peters Vineyard. Stirring the lees (Sur Lie) was performed to this lot consistently once per week through malolactic fermentation. We feel like this gives the wine body, texture and depth while maintaining its graceful acidity and restraint. This Chardonnay is elegant enough to pair with delicate foods and delicious enough to drink by itself after a long day.”
This was aged 11 months in 100% French Oak, 30% New.
Straw colored, light to medium bodied, tangy crisp acidity highlights the subtle pear, spice and peach tones accented by light sprites of oak on a pleasurable moderate finish.
RM 89 points.
