WCC Dinner with Bobby Kacher @ Yono's Restaurant, 11/11/2010

WCC DINNER WITH BOBBY KACHER at Yono's Restaurant, Albany, NY, 11/11/2010

One of the founders of my local tasting group (Joel S) won a dinner with famed importer Bobby Kacher (of Robert Kacher Selections) as part of some charity auction. The details were unclear to me, but we had terrific wines and terrific food for free!!!

The food at Yono's was the best I'd ever had there. With Bobby's guidance, they emphasized more classic country French cooking and it really worked! Each wine was served with a separate course.

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N.V. Pascal Doquet Champagne Premier Cru Brut - France, Champagne, Côte des Blancs, Champagne
With Oysters with Crème Fraîche, Caviar; Tuna Tartare; Lobster Canapé.
Complex, delicious, soft. Nose of fresh strawberries. Not a hint of strawberry jam, just pure fresh strawberries. Excellent length. (93 pts.)

2008 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Condrieu - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu
With Crab Salad with Mango, Sesame Vinaigrette.
Wonderful nose of white flowers and brown sugar. Stunning in the mouth. Expansive, exciting. Wow! Great persistence. Peaches, pears, minerals. One of the best white wines I've had in some time, and the best Condrieu I think I've ever had. It has a lightness, a delicacy that I don't recall before in a Condrieu. Bobby says it will drink well over the next 8 years or more. (97 pts.)

2007 Maison Bertrand Ambroise Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Terres Blanches - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru
With Crispy Skin Black Cod with Spaghetti Squash, Brussels Sprouts, Beurre Blanc.
Subtle, rich nose of vanilla. Big, rich, and oaky. Yuck!
Open 1 hour and coming to room temp, this is much more impressive. Still rich and austere, but showing signs of a promising future. Drink 2015-2020.
The most controversial wine of the night. I think others thought it interesting like I did, but not sure quite what to make of it. (90 pts.)

2007 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Côte-Rôtie - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
With Braised Short Ribs with Sauce Bordelaise, Sous Vide Baby Carrots, Pommes Purée.
Hugely grapey nose with tons of black pepper. Very young, but a great sense of harmony.
According to Bobby: All free-run juice. (The press-wine is used in their VdP.) This is just a wonderful young wine. (94-97 pts.)

2007 Fernand Lécheneaut et Fils (Philippe et Vincent) Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
With Grilled Quail with Basmati, Golden Chanterelles, Sautéed Spinach.
Stunning nose of complex, sweet red fruit and spice. Has a subtle menthol flavor beneath the bright red fruit. This should be quite wonderful in 4-7 years. (93-95 pts.)

2007 Fernand Lécheneaut et Fils (Philippe et Vincent) Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Pruliers - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru
With Époisses de Bourgogne.
That same young minerally red fruit. Juicy tart red fruit. Seems much younger than the Chambolle. Much harder to judge its future, but it is good. (92-? pts.)

N.V. Domaine Dupont Calvados Pays d'Auge Vieille Réserve - France, Normandy, Calvados Pays d'Auge
With Mignardises.
Very nice, but too much for me at this point.

Many thanks to Joel for his winning bid and to Bobby Kacher for visiting us and bringing these terrific wines for us to try. These wines have a consistent authenticity and quality that is quite impressive!