We had some amazing wines and delicious food, but I think the best part of the whole evening was when David said that he will always associate the smell of Châteauneuf-du-Pape with our honeymoon.
Lavandou is just a short walk from the Cleveland Park metro
I'm not nearly as seasoned a wine taster as David or Mikey, but I'm trying. Here are my notes from the evening:
Flight One, Course One: Choice of endive and watercress salad with toasted almonds & pinenuts or homemade duck confit pâté
2005 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc:
light straw color, mushroom earthy nose, taste of slight mineral, creamy mouthfeel, elegant and full bodied. long finish (David said that if he had not seen the wine before tasting it, he might think this was a red)
2006 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc:
light yellow color, fresh nose, taste of citrus, some mineral notes, bright acidity
Flight Two, Interlude:
1978 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape:
dark ruby color, spicy pepper on the nose, deep black fruits
1994 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape:
dark red color, earthy nose, high toned fruit, strong tannins, alcohol noticeable on the finish
1993 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin:
red-burgundy color, smell of rock candy, sweet light fruit, firm tannins
Flight Three, Course Two: Choice of escargots & eggplant fricassee with garlic butter or clams with warm shallot & garlic vinaigrette
1999 Bois de Boursan Cuvée Felix:
red fruit, tobacco and herb aromas, notes of deep fruit (prune), round heavy mouthfeel, olives
1999 Tardieu-Laurent St. Joseph Vieilles Vignes:
ruby to light purple color, meaty and spice on the nose, notes of blueberry, and slight spice – light bodied.
Flight Four, Course Three: Choice of rabbit breast wrapped in bacon with roasted herb potatoes or roasted quail with grapes and a celery mousse
1998 Château de la Gardine Châteauneuf-du-Pape:
nose of asphalt, medium bodied, notes of plum and black cherry. (What a great pick Jace!)
1998 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape:
nose of red fruit, tobacco and some spice, elegant texture
Flight Five, Cheese Course: Assorted cheese plate
2000 Domaine de la Charbonnière Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes:
deep purple color, hot and sweet nose of dark raspberries, cherries, smoke, long finish
1998 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine du Caillou V.V. Cuvée Unique:
nose of red brick and ripe jammy fruit, iodine
My top three were: (in no order)
1999 Bois de Boursan Cuvée Felix,
1978 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the
1993 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin.
