Burgundy @ Wishing Well Restaurant, Wilton, NY, 11/17/2019

Burgundy Dinner with the Chevaliers du Tastevin
Wishing Well Restaurant, Wilton, NY, 11/17/2019

The Albany-Capital Region chapter of La Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin held a dinner at Wishing Well Restaurant, a few miles north of Saratoga Springs in Wilton, NY.

The host for this dinner was Adrian Chiota. I sat with Jared Shulman, Adrian Chiota, Mathias Chiota, Tom Gannon,and a few of their friends from NYC.

Except for the Champagne which was provided by Adrian and Mathias, all the wines were from the chapter's cellar. None of the wines were decanted, but they were opened for some time before serving. See each wine note for details.

Click on any image with a border for a larger view of that image.

The Venue

The Wishing Well Restaurant has an actual wishing well:

Reception with Hors d'Oeuvre

2018 David Trousselle Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune La Couleuvraire - Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune
[Pop and pour.] Tasty, refreshing, good body. Medium length. (88 points)

NV André Jacquart Champagne Premier Cru Experience Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Vertus - Champagne Premier Cru
[Disgorged November 2017.] Dry and complex with lots of yeasty bread dough in the nose and palate. Delicious. (92 points)

There were also magnums of NV André Jacquart Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Experience Brut Nature Mesnil which were gone before I could taste them.

Dinner

Bob Lee (co-owner with his wife Mary Alice Lee) welcomes us to the Wishing Well Restaurant:

Chevalier Adrian Chiota stands to introduce his guests at our table:
Hans Broscheit, Tom Gannon, Matias Chiota, Ryan White, Antoine Lecompte:

First Course
Baked Halibut with Mushroom Cream Sauce and Dry Sherry:

2010 Domaine Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Mouchère - Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru
[Removed from the refrigerator at 4:30pm, opened at 4:45pm, and served at 5:15pm.] Lemon custard nose with hints of vanilla. Rich in the mouth with lots of minerals. Still quite youthful. Good acidity and balance. (92 points)

Second Course
Escargot and Marrow Bone in Garlic Butter with Groovy Greens Caper Salad:

2011 Faiveley Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes - Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
[Opened at 4:15pm and served at 5:45pm.] Beautiful nose of cranberries and strawberries. Gorgeous, juicy red fruit and spice in the mouth. Drinking beautifully now. No rush, but no need to wait either. (93 points)

Joel Spiro comments on the first two wines:

Third Course
Duck Leg Confit with Lardons, Frisée, White Beans, Carrots, and Celery:

2007 Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche - Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
[Opened at 4:15pm and served at 6:10pm.] Ripe, sweet red fruit nose. Slowly opening in the glass. On the palate, this is rich, complex, and expansive. A stunning wine. Still quite young, but already showing a lot. Won't peak for at least 5 years, but that won't stop me from loving every sip tonight. Gorgeous tannins and fruit. Wow! (95–97 points)

Fourth Course
Filet Mignon with Hudson Valley Foie Gras and Mushroom Duxelles:

2009 Albert Morot Beaune 1er Cru Les Toussaints - Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru
[Opened at 4:15pm and served at 6:40pm.] Putting this after the Dujac did it no favors. It is shockingly tannic. While it has some jammy black fruit, I'm not sure it will ever be enough for the tannins and acidity in this wine. (87 points)

George Weissman comments on the last two wines:

Fifth Course
Cheese Board: Manchego, Stilton, Époisses de Bourgogne:

Dessert
Custard Fruit Tart:

Closing Ceremonies

Grand Sénéchal Larry Teal introduces Owner Bill Lee who introduces his staff:

Larry gives Bill a memento of our visit which includes the menu for the evening:

Everyone approves:

And now we do the La La song:

Saying goodbye:

Conclusion

Another excellent evening of friends, food, and wine. This was my first time at the Wishing Well. I was quite impressed.

Notes posted from CellarTracker.