STEFFAN P'S BIRTHDAY DINNER - OLD WORLD GEMS - 34th Street Bistro, Austin, Texas (11/18/2006)

A group of 11 came together to celebrate one of our favorite local wino's birthday. 34th Street Bistro was the chosen venue mainly due to the killer food that matches so well with the chosen BYOB wines. The company, wines and food were superb.

Crispy Oyster Appetizers
A stunning combo of a fried oyster on a potato chip with spicy aioli. It sounds weird but is fabulous especially with champagne.

• N.V. Vilmart Champagne Grand Cellier Premier Cru Brut - France, Champagne, Montagne de Reims, Champagne
  Solid champagne with a nice fine mousse. Lots of brioche flavors. (90 pts.)
  
• N.V. Bruno Paillard Champagne Brut Premiere Cuvée - France, Champagne
  Probably closer to 91. Very enjoyable champagne in a medium-bodied style with brioche and fresh green apple flavors. Good. (90 pts.)
  
• N.V. Pol Roger Champagne White Foil Brut - France, Champagne
  The large mousse in this champagne detracted from the red apple and toasty notes. (87 pts.)
  

Variety of Pizzas
Mushroom, venison and sausage pizzas with lots of truffle oil were on with the Piemonte wines.

• 1989 Gaja Barbaresco - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
  Dark slightly cloudy ruby color; This wine is a good example of aged Nebbiolo (and clearly some Barbera thrown in there). Complex but lacking a bit on the nose. I wish I had more of these. (93 pts.)
  
• 1993 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
  Clear garnet color with a bit of browning; This wine had a shy nose to start but really opened up in the glass. It seemed lighter bodied than some Giacosas I've had of similar age. It picked up some lovely floral aromas and flavors and didn't last long before it was consumed. (93 pts.)
  
• 1999 Paolo Scavino Barolo Cannubi - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  Well-done, very primary Barolo. This has potential for improvement. (92 pts.)
  

Pork tenderloin with pork belly cracklings
For the Rhone wines.

• 1990 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  This bottle was off. If it wasn't off it was poor wine which is probably not the case. It had strange charred bark tastes. NR (flawed)
  
• 1998 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Laurence - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Medium garnet in color; Checking in on a previously untasted lot of this wine found it to be rich and lovely with complex spicy aromas and flavors. It is probably still improving and I won't open any others for years. (93 pts.)
  
• 1990 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  This wine was just phenomenal. I've had this several times in the past and there has been wild bottle variation. This bottle was superb - all of the kirsch, smoke, horsey anyone could want with a silky texture. WOW! and WOTN. (96 pts.)
  

Lamb chop
With Bordeaux and other.

• 1994 Château Pontet-Canet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
  This was somewhat funky with drying tannins. Lots of smoke and oak. (88 pts.)
  
• 2000 Château Monbousquet - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
  No score as this wine was just not in a good place. It smelled and tasted of beef blood with no integration. Hopefully this just needs time to come together.
  
• 2001 Argiolas Turriga Isola dei Nuraghi IGT - Italy, Sardinia, Isola dei Nuraghi IGT
  Interesting flavors of red fruit and spices but needed integration. It was balanced and probably needs more time to come together. (91 pts.)
  

Dessert and Cheese Courses
A variety of desserts and cheeses with the sweet wines.

• 2003 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
  Very nice Sauternes on the very young side. Lower in acid and lighter in structure than the 2001. (91 pts.)
  
• 2002 Carmes de Rieussec - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
  Quite pleasant but very light-bodied. Young with pineapple flavors. (87 pts.)
  
• 1994 Graham Porto Late Bottled Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  It was decent port but the alcohol was not integrated. (88 pts.)
  

A fun evening. Unfortunately my notes are from memory so take them for what they are worth. Happy Birthday Steffan!


Posted from CellarTracker