This past weekend the usual suspects in our wine gang made reservations at Le Guignol for Sunday dinner. Why Sunday? The guest of honor was a resident chef whom we frequently visit but rarely socialize with mainly because he works while we play. Sundays are his day off so Sunday reservations it is!... one minor problem... he didn't make it to dinner! Oh well, it's not like 9 incorrigible winos and foodies can't enjoy a meal with each other!
We started the evening with two Rose and two Chardonnays:
Domaine du Couron Rose
2008 Varner Bee Block Santa Cruz Mountain Chardonnay
2006 Fichet Bourgogne Blanc
2010 L'Hortus de Bergerie Coteaux du Languedoc Rose de Saignee
I personally wanted to compare two 1994 Cabs so I brought a 5th Growth from Pauillac: 1994 Chateau Clerc Milon
And a New World "1st" growth from Napa: 1994 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon
We also sampled a plethora of reds:
2007 Twelve C Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Alta Maria Vineyards Bien Nacido Pinot Noir
2001 Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Roger Sabon Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve
2006 Dutton Estate Dutton-Thomas Road Vineyard Pinot Noir
2004 Duckhorn Howell Moutain Merlot
Knez Winery Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
1999 Cline Big Break Vineyard Late Harvest Mourvedre
But man and woman don't live by wine alone so we sampled Chef Ala's creations starting with the Calf's Liver:
Chorizo Stuffed Dates wrapped in Bacon with Red Pepper Sauce
Escargot
And Meatballs on Polenta
We then progressed to the entrees including Seared Duck Breast with Raspberry Gastrique:
Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin with Rosemary and Thyme
And Seared Tenderloin with Sauce Bordelaise
For dessert we sampled the Chocolate and Espresso Cake:
Cinnamon Croissant Pudding
And the Olive Oil Cake with Bleu Cheese Ice Cream
Chef Ala also made a special cheese course to end the meal by "blitzing" Brie in the oven until it was good and runny and topping it with sauteed mushrooms:
We also brought assorted caramel - dark chocolate covered with grey salt and milk chocolate covered with smoked salt and decadent caramel and chocolate topped shortbread cookies:
Once again, dinner was SUPERB! The wines AWESOME! And the company ALWAYS A PLEASURE! The Caymus Cab was holding very nicely (I initially thought that once the big fruit subsided, there wouldn't be much structure - WRONG), the Clerc Milon also was aging very nicely (though both were my last 1994s) and the late harvest Mourvedre paired nicely with the chocolate desserts. The Twelve C should evolve nicely (a lot like a young Caymus Special Selection) while B's white burgundies are always a treat (esp with escargot). Both Pinots also were very good, especially with the duck and big reds are always a nice way to finish a meal (Champagne also makes a great closer). The chorizo stuffed dates were a revelation (I'm thinking of "stealing" Chef Ala's idea) and though my duck was great, the filet mignon looked killer (and the pork loin tasted killer). The only thing I'd change would be having dinner on a Saturday night or at least an evening where we didn't all have to go to work the next day...
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