Essex County Wine Society

Home

WINE PRESS

ESSEX COUNTY WINE SOCIETY

April 11, 2010

1989 Bordeaux Recap

Our sold-out 1989 Bordeaux tasting on April 1^st was a great success. Bob Erickson led us through three flights of wines from his cellar (supplemented with wines from the cellars of Gary Schwarz and Dennis Roland). All wines were decanted per the instructions of the chateaux (generally 1 – 2 hours in advance) and most showed very well. We had 3 corked wines (out of 27) – and provided back-up bottles in each case (unfortunately, in one case, the back-up bottle was also corked). All wines were served single blind.

The first flight, in order, was Chateau Beychevelle, Chateau Saint Pierre, and Chateau Pougeaux. The Pougeaux was voted wine of the flight (WOTF) with 24 votes, followed by the Saint Pierre (15) and the Beychevelle (14).

The second flight offered Meyney, Montrose, and Le Gay. The Le Gay took WOTF honors with 20 votes, followed closely by the Montrose (19) and the Meyney (14).

The third flight was from Pauillac: Pichon Lalande, Pichon Baron, and Lynch Bages. The Pichon Lalande (Comtesse) took WOTF in a runaway – with 35 votes. It was followed, distantly, by the Lynch Bages (12), with the Pichon Baron (5) bringing up the rear. The Pichon Lalande alse easily took Wine of the Night honors – with 28 votes. The closest rival was the Le Gay with 12 votes. Montrose (6), Pichon Baron (5), and Lynch Bages (5) also received votes for WOTN.

Next Event – Spring Dinner

Our final event of the season, on May 2^nd will be our Spring Dinner at Scalini Fedeli in Chatham. This is another event that we expect will sell out. Please respond immediately to reserve your space, and in no case later than April 23^rd.

Originally opened December of 1995, Scalini Chatham is the second restaurant opened by chef Michael Cetrulo. The restaurant was constructed inside of a 260-year-old New Jersey farmhouse. Its interior features high vaulted ceilings, antique pine floors, and a sense of style, which evokes a distinctly Tuscan feel.

The cuisine, modern Italian with a distinct French flair, is consistently applauded. ZAGAT Survey rates Scalini Fedeli, “#1 Italian” and in 2003 it was rated “#1 favorite in New Jersey overall!” Gourmet magazine included Scalini Fedeli in a list of top 100 restaurants in the county. And the NY Times, Newark Star Ledger, and Bergen Record have all awarded the restaurant an “Excellent” rating.

In addition to some stationary hors d’oeuvres, we will enjoy passed plates of Shrimp Scampi and Portobello Milanese. The hors d’oeuvres will be accompanied by NV Duval Leroy Brut – a champagne the Society has had at several previous dinners. “A big, full-bodied bubbly, featuring graphite, toast, lemon and nut aromas and flavors. Balanced, with an assertive finish.” 93 points, Bruce Sanderson.

The first course will be roasted sweet corn and mascarpone crepe served with a champagne truffle sauce and jumbo lump crab meat. This course will be accompanied by the 1994 Kalin Cellars Chardonnay Cuvée W. “This wine, which comes from 60-year-old vines planted on gravelly soils from the old Wente clone, was bottled without filtration in 1995. Light gold in color with a stunning nose of honeyed citrus, candle wax, some caramelized oranges and nectarines, terrific acidity and a finish of a good 40+ seconds, this is old-style but remarkable Chardonnay made by an eccentric genius who continues to be uninfluenced by anything other than his own intriguing vision of high quality wine.” 94 points, Robert Parker.

The second course will be slow-braised rosemary and garlic lamb shank with ricotta gnocchi and spring vegetables. This will be served with 1999 Domaine des Rémizières Hermitage Cuvée Émilie. “[This wine] is a candidate for the "Hermitage of the vintage." About 70% of the grapes for this cuvee emerge from old vines located in L'Hermite (on the crown of the great dome of Hermitage) and the remainder from Les Rocoules. This extraordinarily intense offering boasts an opaque black/purple color (reminiscent of a cult Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa) as well as a sumptuous nose of sweet blackberry liqueur intermixed with espresso, licorice, tobacco, minerals, and toast. There is massive flavor concentration, multiple layers, full body, purity, and beautifully integrated acidity and tannin.” 96 points, Robert Parker.

And with the end of the lamb, leading into an appropriately matched cheese course we will have the 1990 Château Canon-la-Gaffelière. “This wine has always tasted superb. Still a dark purple/garnet color, it offers an exotic bouquet of roasted coffee, caramelized herbs, sweet cassis, blackberries, chocolate, and licorice. The explosive bouquet is followed by a low acid, full-bodied, chewy wine with sweet tannin and ripe, jammy fruit and glycerin.” 94 points, Robert Parker.

A dessert of biscotti and chocolate crunch will be accompanied by 1977 Dow Vintage Port. “Medium brick-red. Aromas of coffee, prune and milk chocolate. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with a licorice, berry, custard and cream character. Firm and racy. Long and delicious. Firm and beautiful.” 92 points, James Suckling.

Details of the Spring Dinner are as follows:

Date: Sunday, May 2, 2010

Reception: 5:00 p.m.

Dinner: 6:00 p.m.

Attire: Smart casual

Location: Scalini Fedeli

Address: 3 Main Street
Chatham, NJ 07928-2403

Telephone: (973) 701-9200

Website: www.scalinifedeli.com

Cost: $110.00 members

$130.00 non-members & guest

Our next event will be our annual Fall Dinner in September, 2010. Have a great summer.