We stopped by Vino last night since I was basically fallin' asleep at last week's visit (mainly due to sake/sushi/wine/sashimi overload at Mitch's Seafood & Sushi). We didn't feel like ordering a full bottle so I sampled 2 ounce pours from the Cruvinet. I know this looks like a lot but it's still less than 1 full bottle of wine:
2008 Hybrid Chardonnay
From Lodi (home of Gallo), this had the usual fruit concentration and new oak but wasn't over the top
2008 Henri Perrusset Macon Villages
Mineral and subtle stone fruit on the nose and a very pleasing palate flow
2009 Broadside James Berry Vineyard Chardonnay
Revelation! More Old World than New World on the nose with pleasing minerality and a seamless flow over the palate. I HAVE to find some of this wine!
2008 Columbo "Les Aveilles" Cote-du-Rhone
Earth, tobacco and dried fruit and very food friendly
2004 Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Cucolo Barbera d'Alba
I normally don't order Barbera but Cavallotto, I ALWAYS order. Very rustic and food friendly.
2003 Chateau Coufran Merlot
Nice mocha and semi-dried red fruit with good minerality
2009 Sottimano "Mate" Brachetto
A definite Hawaii summer even during those dog day summers. A very nice perfume with underlying food friendly acidity. Would chill for an hour on those "Kona wind" days.
2008 Domaine Fontsainte Corbieres
Always a very food friendly red
2008 Broadside Margarita Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Nice concentration but not cloying with a long finish - too bad we didn't order a beef dish.
2009 Mollydooker "Blue Eyed Boy" Shiraz
My end of the night "dessert" wine. Full of blueberry and blackberry and concentration to the "nth" degree. Sweet, ripe fruit all the way...
As usual, we started with Chef Hiroshi's Duo of Contemporary Sushi
I also had the "onos" for the Scamorza or pan fried cheese on toast with arugula and roasted tomatoes
The Mrs had the "onos" for the side Gnocchi ala Romana which unlike potato/flour dumplings of the same name, this is a conglomeration of flour, butter and cheese and served hot
We also tried the 2 specials of the night, the fresh cavatelli with sundried tomato, Alii mushrooms and squid
And the crisp duck confit in foie gras demi on fresh pappardelle. This NEEDS to go on the regular menu!
The Mrs ended the night with Chef Hiroshi's Banana Mousse cake with Dulce de Leche Ice Cream (see photo from previous post). Another great night of great food & wine at our 2nd home, Vino!
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