Essex County Wine Society

Essex County Wine Society

April 12, 2011

Dear Fellow Wine Society Members and Friends,

Thanks for the emails and positive comments about our tasting last week concluding our formal tastings for the 2010-2011 season. I enjoyed presenting the 10 year vertical tasting of Chateau Rauzan-Segla. As I said in the last Wine Press there would surely be a vintage or two that would suit your taste. Eight of the 10 vintages received votes for wine of the night! Five of the ten vintages got 6 or more votes with the most going to the 1996 vintage with 10 votes. Second place went to the 2000 vintage and third place to my favorite, the 1990. Almost everyone correctly picked the oldest vintage as the 1985 wine but 8 of the ten vintages were picked as the youngest. Once again we have learned that a vertical tasting can be very deceiving and challenging but lots of fun. It was great to have the discussion reach such a high level of intensity which in the end helps us all learn something. One final note, the leftover 1988 which received no votes for wine of the night was fantastic two nights later with a Navarin of lamb. You got to love those red Bordeaux.

The tastings are over but the fun and entertainment are not! As promised, the Spring Dinner at Aozora in Montclair is just a little over two weeks away on Sunday May 1st. Get your reservations in quick! Our dinner committee has once again worked with owner-chef Nelson Yip to provide a terrific menu to match with wines from our society's cellar.

Hors d'ouvres & Champagne

Spicy Tuna on crispy wonton

Vegetable Spring Roll

Sushi sandwich (smoked salmon on rice cracker)

Goat Cheese and sun-dried tomatoes on toast

Champagne: Moutardier Brut Nature NV 100% Meunier (Burghound 92 points, "The natural fruitiness of the pinot meunier seems to work particularly well with the natural austerity of the Nature style, as well as the fact that producers tend to use finer blends for these cuvées since there is

nothing to hide any potential flaws. A layered and elegant nose with a moderate yeastiness complements the finely beaded flavors that also possess solid depth and excellent length. I quite like the style of this and it could be drunk now enjoyably or held for another 5 years.").

1st Course

Shrimp and Scallops served with Uni Chardonnay Sauce

Wine: 2005 Joseph Drouhin, Beaune premier cru " Clos des Mouches Blanc" (Rated 91 and Outstanding by Allen Meadows in Burghound, " A deft touch of toasty wood frames pretty peach, apricot and floral undertones that merges into rich, full and generous medium full flavors that possess good power and intensity plus a finish that displays terrific punch and delineation. While most Beaune blanc  isn't terribly interesting, this is the exception that proves the terroir can deliver if given half a chance. Lovely." )

2nd Course

Seared Duck Breast served with Wild Berry Sauce over mashed Sweet Potato, Duck Confit Spring Roll

Wine: 2004 Nicolas Potel, Grand Cru "Clos St. Denis"  (Rated 90-92 in Burghound, " Beautifully elegant and perfumed high-toned red pinot fruit aromas give way to round, sweet and rich flavors that are delicious, complex and dense with a powerfully long finish of striking length. This is slightly more refined than the Clos de la Roche if not quite as powerful and robust. A seriously good effort here with grace to burn.")

3rd Course

Charbroiled Angus Beef served with wild mushroom and Pear Yakiniku Sauce

Wine: 2003 Patric Lesec Chateauneuf-du-Pape "Pierres Dorees" (Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 93points, " The dark ruby/plum/purple-hued, full-bodied 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Pierres Dorees was aged in small barrels and 100% of the stems were utilized. A hint of pain grille is quickly absorbed by intense aromas of black currants, licorice, roasted meats, sweet cherries and raspberries. This opulent, powerful Chateauneuf should drink well for 12-15 years. The final blend was approximately 75% Grenache and 25% Mourvedre.")

Dessert

Aozora Cheese Cake

Wine: 2005 Klein Constantia "Vin de Constance", South Africa (Wine Spectator 94 points, " A very bright, racy style, with superclean apricot and tangerine notes laced with hints of quince and clementine. The long, pure finish is sweet but stylish, and this just sails on. Puts on weight and shows more drive as it airs. Should give the superb 2004 a run for its money.")

The cost for the dinner will be $110 for members and$132 for guests. As the time is short please get your reservations in to Peter Ballance quickly, no later than Wednesday, April 27, 2011.

Details of the Fall Dinner are as follows:                                         

                        Date:                    Sunday, May 1, 2011

                        Reception:            5:00 p.m. 

                        Dinner:                  6:00 p.m.

                        Attire:                    Smart casual

                        Location:               Aozora        (www.aozorafusion.com)

                        Address:               407 Bloomfield Avenue

                                                     Montclair, NJ 07042 

                       Telephone:            973-233-9400

Please join us for our season ending Spring celebration.

If you wish to sit with particular members at the dinner, please indicate the names on the attached response form and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Seating is limited so please respond quickly

regards,
Dennis

"...drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life's most civilized pleasures."  Michael Broadbent

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