France & California
at Restaurant Christophe,
Montreal (4/20/2006)
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Went to Montreal for Spring Break. Got together with A. deMello and a fine group of his wine and foodie friends.
We met at Restaurant Christophe
at 1187 Avenue Van Horne in Outremont.
The food was very good, especially the deer and the local cheeses at the end!
The company was great.
What a pleasure to spend an evening with locals who are so knowledgeable about the food and wine scene in Montreal.
Also, I don't know when was the last time I enjoyed so many wines I had not been familiar with before.
Starters
- NV Dupéré Barrera, La Brute Rosé Provence
[The perfect wine to start our evening. Made by a Québéçois who now lives in Provence.
It even has a moose on the label! Made without electricity.]
Light, mature-looking rosé color. Pleasant, sour cherry nose. Complex and tasty with good length.
A delightful and delicious wine! 92 points.
- 2002 Domaine de Belliviére, V.V. Eparses, Coteaux du Loir [no
e
]
Light gold yellow color. Complex nose of dry botrytis. Complex in the mouth.
An appealing dry bitterness on the finish. 90 points.
- 2000 Stéphane Tissot La Mailloche Chardonnay Arbois AOC
[Domaine André et Mirelle Tissot
on back label.]
Very light color. Light, slightly oxidized nose. Very tasty. Really complex!
Very old world in style. 92 points.
Reds I
- 2000 Domaine Gourt de Mautens (Jérôme Bressy) Rasteau Côtes du Rhône Villages
Big spicy nose. Thick, rich, tasty, youthful, complex, and spicy.
A very appealing, full-bodied, Rhone. 93 points.
- 2002 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain
[Brought by me.] Big, spicy, tasty, classic zin. Excellent length. 92 points.
Reds II
- 1974 Ridge Petite Sirah York Creek Vineyard
[Brought by me.] Stunning nose of earth mulch and wet stones. Big and complex with great spice and complexity.
Incredibly youthful. Most tasters said they would never have guessed older than 1990.
A touch of grass in the long finish.
Ready to drink but should last 10 more years. A terrific wine. 95 points.
- 1993 Ridge Zinfandel, Pagani Ranch
[Brought by Aaron.] Big spicy red fruit nose. Rich, balanced, delicious. Excellent length.
I would never recognize this as the port-like wine I had when it was first released. Quite harmonious and balanced now.
Drink now –2012. 93 points.
- 2002 Carlisle Zinfandel, Carlisle Vineyard, Russian River Valley
[Brought by Aaron.] Intense, ripe red fruit nose. Delicious, complex, smoky red fruits.
Great length. Lots of yummiosity! 94 points.
The Cheese Course:
Dessert
- 2003 Gaston Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Moelleux
Striking yellow color. Complex botrytis nose. Light, crisp, really tasty but very young.
Drink 2010 –2020. 92 –94 points.
Again, my thanks to Aaron and his compatriots for a wonderful evening!
All original content © Ken Vastola