Food, Wine & Friends Page 72
Page 2 of the 2004-2005 New Years
Paul, meanwhile, was caramelizing the fennel and onions.
Sandy then took care of "decorating" each plate with a ring of
"green."
And Paul placed a pool of sauce on each plate.
A rabbit kidney was placed atop each bit of fennel.
The 1975 Heitz "Martha's Vineyard" Cabernet was outstanding! It
displayed a youthful vitality few would have expected to weather nearly 30 years
of aging! The 1975 vintage was considered "lighter" than
both the showy 1973s and flashy 1974s, yet the few we've tasted at this stage
are remarkably good. This is something for today's "experts" to
consider when reviewing various vintages. It is not the
"biggest" or more intense which can develop into the best wines.
The 1976 vintage, a much warmer and riper vintage was good, but more developed
and "older" than the 1975. It did not show as much character of
the mint and eucalyptus as the older bottle.
The rabbit was exceptional, a recipe from The French Laundry cookbook.
A salad of Mche was refreshing.
Alexia then brought out a couple of platters of cheeses.
Somebody realized this is my FAVORITE course.
That's because I prefer the stuff on the right.
"Keep it coming, Henry!"
Amy and Bob found the cheese course to be a dark moment.
Jesper is a big-time cheese head.
So is Sandy!
Alexia and Henry contributed TWO bottles of Domaine de la Romane-Conti Echzeaux
wines. The 1982, a much-maligned vintage, was bright, cherryish and
displaying the hickory notes and hints of Asian spices we like in fine Burgundy
wines. The 1986 was more mature, "older" in fragrance, but still
showing nicely (and perfect with the cheeses). Paul and Sandy had a couple
of cheese "discoveries" from some California cheese-makers.
Jesper brought a great chocolate cake for the new year!
And Paul dug deep into the cellar for a suitable
accompaniment.
The 1970 Croft Vintage Porto was delicious! It's a shade lighter than the
big names of Port, but the wine had matured nicely and was delicious partnered
with the rich, smooth chocolate cake from Jesper's Copenhagen Crown Bakery in
Santa Clara.
With this fine finish to the evening, all retired to sleep a few hours before
resuming the festivities at a more civilized hour of the morning.
And 2004 finished in a stormy fashion, while 2005 proved to have a bright, sunny
start!
Henry ambled down to the shore.
We did have a whale of a time!
Jesper then embarked upon a small "breakfast" project.
Santa Lucia buns, a Scandinavian treat with a saffron flavor.
Since the Santa Lucia buns were note sufficient, Jesper brought some other taste
treats!
Bob finally joined the party, Henry and Alexia having had to make tracks...
And so we all departed...
...having spoken about the plans for the 2005-2006 dinner!
What a grand way to begin 2005!
Many thanks to Sandy and Paul for hosting this great marathon!
And to Alexia and Henry, Amy, Jesper and Bob for contributing to this grand
occasion!
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Calda 2005!
