October 3, 2011
Black Tie Reserve Night
Our recent Grapes of Laugh Wine Club event was definitely an affair not to be missed on the calendar.
The event was hosted at the beautiful home of our good friends and fellow Laughsters, Dan and Diana. The theme was quite simple: just bring one Reserve Wine per person. Red or white, your choice. If it says “Reserve” on the label, good enough. As far as food offerings went, everybody was to bring hand-prepared, individual appetizers enough for about 20 or so guests. We definitely have a very imaginative group and this also extends to the food creative in all of us. More on that later.
Attire
As the invitation stated, “Originally, as the name implies, we wanted to have a formal black tie event; reality and the economics involved, however, have now set in. So, we are going to settle for any combination of black and white. If you want to wear a tux or cocktail dress, great! We’d love to see it. If you want to wear a tuxedo t-shirt, we’re game.” Needless to say it was quite the visual evening as well, from neckties to sexy heels.
Wine
We were treated to some exceptional Reserve Chardonnay’s from Beringer’s Private Reserve and Justin to Tobin James. As we are certainly a dominantly red preferenced group, the selection was deep!
The oldest bottle on the table was a 2000 Stuart Cellars “Tatria” from Temecula, a Bordeaux blend that did not disappoint. We enjoyed the 04 Arrowood Cabernet from Sonoma, 06 Sterling SVR, 06 Chemin De Terre from Oregon, 08 Dunning (AKA stunning!) Zinfandel from Paso Robles, 08 Emotion Grand Reserve Château de La Meulière from France, as well as a handful of others that did not go un-noticed. Including a couple of blind bottles; one quite perfumed Cabernet Franc from Tobin James and Mertage which I never got a peak of the label.
Food
The food was equally up to the task as seemingly everyone went all out. Many canapé’s to choose from including two different takes on salmon. One was smoked salmon on cucumber slices with herbed crème’ fraiche and fresh dill. To name a few more, we indulged in rolled prosciutto and provolone stacks; salami and egg with spinach sour cream topped with sliced cornichon and chives; a puff pastry filled with asparagus, fresh garden tomatoes and three cheeses; prosciutto wrapped artichoke hearts in a sage white wine sauce atop toasted artisan bread; delectable wontons the size of small burritos with a sweet thai chili sauce; fresh fruit stacks, Serrano Chile Deviled Eggs…and the list goes on! Needless to say the food was amazing!
The evening’s feasting was topped by amazing chocolate mousse cups. The cups were made from shortbread and individually molded then filled and chilled…WOW!!!!!
The final course was complimented by a few dessert wines as well. Including an 08 Aresti Gewurztraminer Montemar; Heitz Ink Grade Port and a South Coast Black Jack Port.
At that point is was time to retire to the Cigar Room. Quite the evening indeed.
No way to call out fav’s on the food as there were so many VERY good eats.
My standout wines of the evening (not necessarily in order):
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay, Napa
Dunning Zinfandel (Stunning!), Paso Robles
Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma
The 2000 Stuart Cellars “Tatria” from Temecula gets a special shout out as it was just flat out surprisingly delicious.
Until next time……Cheers!
