Saturday Night – Prime Rib – Part 1

This past Saturday, it wasn’t our turn to host originally but Mick needed to get some work done in the garden this weekend and asked if we could switch weekends.  Thankfully my weekend was fairly open so I didn’t mind hosting this week.  On the other hand, I had no idea what to do for dinner.  After pondering for a bit I decided to attempt a Prime Roast for the first time ever.  The main reason for my Prime Rib attempt was I had a bottle of 2004 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape that I thought would be a great pairing with it.

So the main course was Prime Rib roast, mashed potatoes, oven roasted carrots and onions, Yorkshire pudding and gravy.  I paired this with a 2004 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape but to make this interesting I also paired a 2004 Château Pontet-Canet with the meal as well.  I figured a little Rhone vs. Bordeaux action would be fun.  I will review the Château de Beaucastel in part 1 and then cover the Château Pontet-Canet in part 2.

The nose on the Château de Beaucastel was big and initially mushroom was the dominate aroma but as the wine sat and opened up, strawberry, licorice, cotton candy, marzipan, pipe tobacco and vanilla aromas were very noticeable.  Tasting the wine, it started off very dark chocolate/cocoa but as it opened up it developed a lovely black cherry flavour to it.  The structure to the wine was great with big and chewy mouth-feel and had a nice balance of acidity, tannin, fruit and alcohol.  The finish on the wine lingered for quite a while.  It was a great pairing with the Prime Rib and most of the other items on the plate, though it got a bit sharp against the sweetness of the roast carrots.

Here is the group rating for the wine - Mick – 91, Mark – 91, Kathy – 90, Amy – 90, Overall – 90.5.　

Here is the LCBO information on the wine –

CHÂTEAU DE BEAUCASTEL CHÂTEAUNEUF DU PAPE 2010
VINTAGES 711317
750 mL bottle
Price $ 89.95
Made in: Rhône, France
By: Vign. Pierre Perrin
Release Date: Nov 24, 2012
Wine, Red Wine
14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Varietal: Grenache Blend
Sweetness Descriptor: XD - Extra Dry

Tasting Note  -  The Chateau Beaucastel 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is a classic blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise and the balance other permitted varietals. Surprisingly ripe and soft with a dense ruby/purple color as well as lots of blueberry, scorched earth and blackberry notes intermixed with hints of roast beef and bouquet garni, this wine has structure, but the fruit dominates at present. By the standards of most top vintages of Beaucastel, this cuvee will be drinkable earlier than the normal ten years. I suspect it will put on more weight, so give it 5-6 years of cellaring and drink it over the following three decades. Score - 92-94+. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Oct. 2011)

* Note the LCBO listing is for the 2010 vintage and not the 2004 reviewed here.

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend of grapes is usually not a red that lights me up but this one was very good.  I was surprised as even though the wine was 9 years old, I would say it was leaning to the young side of things and I have no doubt that the 2004 vintage we had would drink well for the next 15 years without an issue.   I’m usually not a big fan of decanting but this wine would have benefitted from it as the longer it sat the better it got.

Click here for Part 2

Saturday Night – Ups and Downs – Part 1

Mick and Amy hosted this past Saturday night’s dinner and Mick had two new wines on tap for us to try and three new recipes.

 

The first course was corn fritters topped with avocado and sour cream with a lime and chipotle dipping sauce. Mick paired this with a 2011 Coudoulet de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone by Perrin. This wine was also used as the pairing with the second course.

The nose on the wine consisted of rose, smoke, melon and toffee aromas. Tasting the wine initially I got honeydew melon and grapefruit flavours but as the wine sat and opened up, the dominate flavour was red Delicious apple. The structure was interesting as there was a slight oiliness to the wine, with soft acidity and a short to medium length finish. The wine was decent on its own but really shined as a pairing with the corn fritters.

Here is the group rating for the wine - Mick – 87, Mark – 87, Kathy – 87, Amy – 87, Overall – 87.

Here is the LCBO information on the wine –

CHÂTEAU DE BEAUCASTEL COUDOULET DE BEAUCASTEL BLANC 2011
VINTAGES 48892
750 mL bottle
Price $ 33.95
Made in: Rhône, France
By: Famille Perrin
Release Date: Oct 13, 2012
Wine, White Wine
14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Varietal: Blend - Other
Sugar Content: 3 g/L
Sweetness Descriptor: D - Dry

Tasting Note -  This blend of Marsanne, Viognier, Bourboulenc, and a touch of Clairette features pretty aromas of apricot, peach, cantaloupe, citrus, white flowers and vanilla. Juicy and soft-textured with a ripe mid-palate leading to a tangy finish. An approachable, satisfying wine with plenty of finesse. Enjoy it tonight with grilled calamari, or impress your guests when you serve it alongside turkey dinner. (VINTAGES panel, Aug. 2012)

I liked the wine but found it a bit of an odd duck as to what I’d pair this wine with.  Hummus would probably be a nice pairing and it worked well with the corn fritters but after reading the LCBO write-up, I think their suggestion of Turkey dinner is right on the money. 

The corn fritters were quite tasty and so was the lime and chipotle dipping sauce which really brought the fritters up to the next level.

The second course was a new mussel recipe that Mick found in his Julia Child’s cookbook.  Mick has been batting a thousand recently on new recipes, he was due for a curveball and this recipe was it.  This recipe used breadcrumbs as one of the ingredients which I thought was different as most mussel recipes I have found tend to steam the mussels in a liquid based sauce.  I’m assuming the idea to the recipe was the breadcrumbs would form a coating on the mussels sort of like you’d get on breaded chicken fingers.  Instead the mussels and the ‘sauce’ turned out more like oatmeal porridge.  The flavour wasn’t bad on the dish but the texture really left something to be desired.   The wine was also a decent pairing with this course.

Click here for Part 2

Saturday night – Just grin and Beer it – Part 2

Click here for Part 1

For the second course Mick did honey and chipotle bacon wrapped scallops grilled on the barbeque. We paired this with a 2010 Chateau d’Aqueria Tavel Rosé. I bought this wine as a pairing as this was the comparison bottle for Wine Club when we looked at Rosés. As we really enjoy the Wine Club take home bottle at last Saturday’s dinner and at Wine Club the Tavel was the favourite hands down over that bottle, I wanted Mick, Amy and Kathy to try it as well.

The nose on the Tavel was faint with sour cherry and a slight soapy aroma in the background. Tasting the wine, sour cherry and lime were the dominate flavours. The structure on the wine was good though it did have a bit of a sharp finish to it. With the food the sharp finish was more muted but I did find it got a bit funky with the food at times. I would guess the sweetness of the honey would be what caused the funkiness with the dry Rosé.

Here is the group rating for the wine – Mick - 86, Mark - 86, Kathy – 86, Amy – 83, Overall – 85.25.

Here is the LCBO Information on the wine -

CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL ROSÉ 2010

VINTAGES 319368
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 18.95
Wine, Rosé Wine
12.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : XD
Made in: Rhône, France
By: Jean Olivier, Prod.
Release Date: May 14, 2011

Tasting Note - Tavel, an AC located across the Rhône River from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, uniquely makes rosé wines its exclusive focus. This version offers up fresh strawberry, sweet cherry, rosehips, and spring flowers in abundance. Dry, light bodied, fresh and tangy on the palate with waves of vivacious acidity. The lingering finish sports a strawberry-rhubarb character embroidered by herbal and floral notes. Enjoy with salmon-and-cream-cheese appetizers, or turkey breast with paprika. (VINTAGES panel, March 2011)

For the final course Mick did pulled pork quesadillas and paired them with a 2006 Seghesio Zinfandel. We have reviewed the 2006 Seghesio before so I won’t be reviewing it again today. I will add that both the wine and the quesadillas were excellent.

For dessert Amy picked up a Milky Way cake that was very good.

Thanks to Mick and Amy for hosting and to Mick for making three new exciting dishes for us to try.

Cheers! (or maybe for this article “Beers!” would be a better ending)

Mark

Saturday Night – Mick’s Excellent Adventure – Part 2

For the second course Mick made Prime Rib for the first time. He did up mashed potatoes and green beans as sides. Mick paired the meal with a La Fiole du Pape, Chateauneuf du Pape. Interesting thing about this wine is there was no vintage date on the bottle anywhere so we have no idea what year it was. The blacken glass in its warped shape and aged looking bottle makes this wine bottle very distinct and easy to find.

"Naked Beef"

The nose had big aromas of brownie batter, chocolate, coffee and black pepper. Tasting the wine you were rewarded with a very smooth and balanced wine with a raspberry and plum flavours running throughout. With the food the wine became a touch sharper but not in a bad way and was a good pairing with the meal.

"Dressed and ready to eat!"

Here is the group rating for the wine – Mick - 87, Mark - 87, Kathy – 88, Amy - 88, Overall – 87.5

"Nice wine"

Here is the LCBO Information on the wine –

ANSELME LA FIOLE DU PAPE CNP

LCBO 12286
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 38.25
Wine, Red Wine
13.4% Alcohol/Vol.
Made in: Rhone, France
By: Maison Brotte

Tasting Note- Garnet ruby red colour; dried berries, sour cherry, sweet fruit, minerals and herbs on the nose with black pepper, olive and clove notes; dry, full-bodied with spice, vanilla and ripe cassis and red berry fruit on the palate.

Serving Suggestion - Roasts, Mediterranean dishes, sharp cheese or kidney pie.

"Won't mistake this bottle for something else!"

Mick did a very good job with the Prime Rib as it was cooked to perfection and very flavourful.

Click here for Part 3

Wine Club – Cotes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape

For the month’s meeting we were taking a look a couple of wines from southern Rhône – a 2004 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhône and a 2005 Perrin & Fils “Les Sinards” Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Kim, a Wine Club member, was nice enough to make a homemade lasagna to go with the wines.

"And in this corner..."

Both wines were a nice dark ruby/purple in colour. The nose on the E. Guigal was a combination of spice and dark berry. The nose on the Perrin & Flis had cherry, tobacco and a slight floral element lingering in the background. Out of the two wines the Perrin & Fils was my winner for nose.

"The plucky half price option"

Tasting both of these wines was interesting as they both had a lot in common; fruit and spice on the tongue to start, big tannins and good acidity. Where they differed was the finish the Perrin & Fils had a smoother finish. I was leaning towards Perrin & Fils as the more enjoyable wine of the two before we tried the food.

"Was it worth double the money?"

With the food, I actually liked the E. Guigal more as the lasagna mellowed the finish and brought more fruit to the forefront. The Perrin & Fils with the lasagna picked up a funny taste at times.

Here is the LCBO information on both wines –

E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône

LCBO# 259721
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 18.40
Wine, Red Wine,
13% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : 1
Made in: Rhone, France
By: E. Guigal,
Release Date: N/A

Tasting Note - Deep ruby purple colour; complex aromas of mixed spice, plums, dark berry and pepper with floral notes; dry, medium to full-bodied, well balance with supple tannins, and flavours of white pepper, cassis,black cherry and mineral; good length on the finish.
Serving Suggestion - Pepper steak, lamb, grilled portabello mushrooms or seared duck in a cherry reduction sauce.

Perrin & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Les Sinards”

Vintages# 926626
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 38.95
Wine, Red Wine,
13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : XD
Made in: Rhone, France
By: Perrin & Fils
Release Date: Oct 11, 2008

Description - Jean-Pierre, François and Pierre Perrin created Les Sinards as an homage to their late grandfather. With some of the grapes sourced from their famous Château de Beaucastel estate, this is a classic Châteauneuf with cherry, chocolate, tobacco and chicory aromas. It's dry, medium- to full-bodied and packed with rich fruit flavours, as well as earthy and smoky notes. With such great structure, match with a leg of lamb or roast beef cooked with plenty of garlic, thyme and rosemary. It will also reward 2-4 years in a cellar

I would probably give the Perrin & Fils the nod as the better wine of the two but not by much; it certainly wasn’t worth twice the price. Both wines went with the lasagna but I’d probably prefer a Merlot over either them. Being completely honest – both were fun to try but I wasn’t blown away by either and don’t see myself rushing out to get more. I do have a bottle of the 2004 E. Guigal as my “take home” bottle from Wine Club which I will store on the rack. I’d be curious to try this wine again with prime rib roast or roast chicken and see how it pairs as I suspect that it would be very good.

Next month’s meeting we’ll be taking a look at South African Chenin Blanc vs. a French Chenin Blanc.

I don’t see any wine opportunities coming up from now until Christmas, so I take this time to wish all three or four of my dedicated readers a Merry Christmas and hope that they all receive a nice bottle or two under the tree this year!

Cheers!

Mark

Saturday Night - Pizza D'oh!

Mick was getting busy in the kitchen again this Saturday and had two new items on the menu - Lobster Chowder and Pizza Margherita. The wine pairings for the evening were a 2005 Foxglove Chardonnay which Mick had picked up down in the US on our last wine run @ $12.99 US ($21.30 CDN after duty) and a Joseph Phelps 2001 Le Mistral which he got for $15.oo US a bottle ($26.22 CDN after duty). The Foxglove Chardonnay isn't available at the LCBO and the Le Mistral is @ $58.00 but it is the 2004 not the 2001.

When we arrived Mick was struggling to roll out the Pizza dough. He'd rolled it, thrown it, tried just about everything he could to get to stay flat but it kept shrinking back to its original form. The only thing he did manage to do with the dough it to get extremely pissed off about. I tried helping but no luck, in the end we decided to hit the supermarket and picked up a store bought pre-made Pizza crust.

After our quick trip out to the market, the first course was Lobster Chowder and the Foxglove Chardonnay. The Lobster Chowder's main ingredients were Lobster, bacon, potato, cilantro, cream and fish stock. The soup had a good flavour to it but after my first couple of spoonfuls, I thought to myself 'this would be awesome with some corn in it'. Mick's wife, Amy piped up about two minutes after this and suggested that corn would be great in the Chowder.

The wine was a good pairing but not great, I have had Lobster Chowder before with a Cabernet Sauvignon and it was an amazing match. The Foxglove was kind of funny as it was buttery but not overly so and it had a bit of mineral to it as well. I'd describe it as a California Chardonnay with some Burgundy influence to it. It was a great value at $12.99 but I'd go with a Kendall Jackson Chardonnay if you are a fan of a California style Chardonnay or a Bouchard Pere & Fils 'Bourgogne' if you like French style Chardonnay. This one was trying to please both of those crowds and didn't do it.

The main course was a Pizza Margherita which was made up of Tomato, Olive Oil, Garlic, Prosciutto, Mozzarella di Bufala and Basil. Mick did a great job on the Pizza and it was enjoyed by all (even with the store bought crust!).

Mick had called me in the afternoon to discuss which wine to go with the pizza as he was torn between a Merlot and the Le Mistral by Joseph Phelps which is a Rhone style wine. The Merlot didn't surprise me as it is a nice safe choice to go with if you are not sure, but the Le Mistral did. It is a blend of mainly Syrah (Shiraz) and Grenache and a tiny percent of other grapes mixed in, it is the style that Chateauneuf-Du-Pape is made in. I was concerned it would be lost against the garlic, prosciutto and cheese flavour and suggested that maybe a big bold Zinfandel would be a better choice. Mick said he thought of a Zinfandel too but was afraid it would overpower the pizza. He decided to stick to his guns and go with the Le Mistral.

Mick was right - the wine was an excellent pairing, it was nice and smooth and didn't create a strange taste with the pizza. I'm still curious to see how a Zinfandel would go with the pizza but it would be hard pressed to be better than the Le Mistral.

For dessert I picked up a Pecan Pie and a Maple/Apple coffee cake as Mick had some 1995 Late Harvest Vidal as the dessert wine of the evening. I also grabbed some Danish Blue cheese and crackers as I still had half a bottle of the 1989 French Sauternes in the fridge from last week. The Sauternes didn't go with the baked Apple Tart I had made. We found the Sauternes closer to a port then a dessert wine, so I wanted to see how it went with a Blue Cheese which is an ideal pairing for port.

Both wines when poured were a deep amber in colour and were almost impossible to distinguish by colour. The aromas on both were similar but the Late Harvest had a much more powerful aroma. The Henry of Pelham Late Harvest Vidal was great with both of the desserts. It truly is a wine that I'm proud to say is Canadian. The Sauternes was very good with the Blue Cheese, much better than it was with the Apple Tart last week, but I'd take an aged Tawny Port over it any day of the week.

The 1995 Henry of Pelham Late Harvest Vidal was the best year that they ever made and a few years back Amy managed to buy the last case of it directly from winery. This was the second to last bottle left.

I'm not sure what the current year of the Late Harvest is as the LCBO stock information doesn't list year (I'm going to guess and say 2004) but the Late Harvest is a great little dessert wine and you really should pick some up as you won't be disappointed.

LCBO Info.

HENRY OF PELHAM LATE HARVEST VIDAL V.Q.A.

LCBO 395228

375 mL bottle

Price: $ 19.95

Wine, Fortified Wine, Dessert/Fruit/Miscellaneous Wine

10.8% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : 16

Made in: Ontario, Canada By: HENRY OF PELHAM FAMILY EST. WINERY

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold colour; aromas of honey, ripe peach, fig and apricot; sweet with ripe fruit flavour; well-balanced by crisp lemon acidity; rich and luscious without being too cloying.

Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled, a good introduction to dessert wines; fruit flan.

Cheers!

Mark.