BIRTHDAY DINNER
at Patroon House in Glenmont, NY (1/17/2004)
A birthday dinner with family and friends at Patroon House, Glenmont, NY.
An excellent new restaurant in the Albany area [which sadly closed c. 2007]
with a nice winelist, though most of these wines were brought by me (except where noted).
- 1992 Kistler Chardonnay McCrea Vyd Sonoma Mtn.
[With "Seared Diver Scallops atop a topanade risotto cake splashed with fresh tomato-caper vinaigrette."]
Huge in the nose and mouth. Loads of body, minerals, citrus, wet stones, stunning complexity. Could use a few more years!
Time and time again, one of the world's great chardonnays. 95 points
- 2001 Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay Napa V.
[With "Parmesan Fried Oysters presented with Prosciutto, braised spinach, and a black truffle aioli."]
From the restaurant wine list. Light, after the Kistler, loads of citrus and butter in the nose. Young, citrusy, medium body.
Fresh, appealing, too acidic by itself, but with the oysters, 90 points
- 1985 Marcarini Barolo Riserva La Serra Vyd
[With "Wild Mushroom Stew served with a truffle risotto cake."]
Decanted for one hour. Classic tar and roses nose. Medium body, exquisite perfume. Still young!
Plenty of cherry fruit, tar and flowers (violets?). Drink now-2015. Great match to the mushrooms. 93 points
- 1987 Dominus Napa V.
[With "Seared Breast of Duck presented with butternut squash and drizzled with maple-balsamic reduction
and duck jus." My favorite dish of the night.]
Decanted for one hour. Gorgeous nose of red currants, minerals and a hint of sage.
In the mouth, lots of body, minerals and red fruits. Super long finish of currants and cedar.
The mid palate still has some tannins. Shows even better with Amy's steak. This is great classic Bordeaux!
Would fit right in an 82 or 85 Bordeaux tasting. Drink now-2015 or more. 96 points
- 1978 Ch. Montelena Estate Cab Napa V.
[With "Tamarind Glazed Lamb Chops served with cumin cabbage and tangerine salsa."
The one food disappointment of the night for me. Too much vinegar in the lamb.
Luckily, Amy was happy to trade me steak!
Right after decanting: No nose. Huge, youthful, tannic, with amazingly youthful cherry fruit.
Massive, expansive, could go 10-15 more years.
Decanted for one hour: Finally showing a nose of wet stones, cherries and currants. The finish lasts a full minute.
As Andy Raffle told me by email, "*****ing Awesome!!!" That's no lie. If I had this and the Dominus blind,
I'm sure I would have bet this one much younger. How could it be this youthful?
An amazing bottle of wine! Blind I might have thought it was a great 1991. 97 points
It ain't so bad being 50!
All original content © Ken Vastola