FOOD, WINE & FRIENDS PAGE 251
We met at the cool San Francisco restaurant of wine guru David
Lynch,
ST.
VINCENT
on Valencia Street following a SLOW FOOD wine tasting.
The wine list is voluminous and we had fun perusing David's
selections.
We began with a bottle of Vermentino from RYME.
They make two versions of this, a "His" and a "Hers."
"His" is made in the style of so-called "Orange Wines."
We ordered a bottle, then, of "Hers."
And it's a nicely crisp Vermentino with a touch of green apple and a faintly
spicy note reminiscent of our favorites from Spain's Galicia region.
We began with a shared plate: FIELD PEA HUMMUS with FLATBREAD, SUMAC AND
RADISHES.
And you can't visit St. Vincent without ordering at least one
pretzel...
I, actually, ordered three but the server and others all vetoed that motion, so
we only got one...
...and then they wished we had more after tasting this.
Then we had some starters...
Justin could not resist the BONE MARROW with smoky chilies, grilled/pickled
onion and country bread.
Francesca opted for the Vinegar Braised Pork with shredded Treviso Radicchio and
Potato Chips.
My plate was "Beets, Blood Orange, Oysters and Mustard Greens."
Luckily the Vermentino was capable of holding its own with such flavorful
plates!
Then our server brought to the table a special bottle I'd had standing upright
for a few days (so the sediment would settle)...
It was a Ridge 1987 "Lytton Springs" Zinfandel.
The 1987 Ridge Lytton Springs was still alive and kicking!
The wine was showing itself as a mature, ready-to-drink red wine.
It was medium-full on the palate and, imagine this: a mere 13.4% alcohol!
Earthy and brambly notes were highlighted on the nose and palate...
Some folks had the idea that Zinfandel doesn't age very well, but this wine
proves that theory to be incorrect.
Of course, these days many Zinfandels are made for people who have the
"wine palate" of a teenager, so, yes, in general, most Zinfandels are
best in their youth.
Francesca ordered St. Vincent's "Petrale Sole."
Justin opted for the "Aged Beef Shoulder with Red Wine on
Pappardelle."
I had the "Grilled Ham Chop" with Collard Greens, Apple slices and
Spoonbread.
The pork chop is brined for a couple of days...very good!
Wine-Meister David Lynch had a minute to have a taste of the old bottle of Ridge
with The Young Francesca...
We had not ordered desserts, but suddenly several spoons arrived along with
this...
Malted Milk Ice Cream with a bit of olive oil and burnt honeycomb...
Remarkable!
And with that, we adjourned the proceedings until Franchi returns to San
Francisco!
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