SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2014

According to The 1999 Wine Enthusiast Vintage Chart:   1990 was the best vintage for both Red Burgundy (95) and Champagne (94) out of all years from 1978 through 1999.  No other vintage was even close.

 

We also had a great “surprise chef” this evening.  Tom Hurley, our good friend and former chef-owner of Hurleys at NW 20th and Kearney happened to be our private chef for the evening.

 

We began with a NV Andre Clouet Reserve Brut 100% Grand Cru Champagne reception.  Appetizers included Brie and Sun Dried Tomatoes on Crostini, Moroccan Tapanade on House Made Crackers, and Roasted Tiny Red Potatoes with Chevre and Chives.

 

Then 2000 Poully-Fuisse from “Le Clos” of Chateau Fuisse and another surprise. Members Dan and Mercedes Belica toured Burgundy with some of us in 2013.  One of our most interesting visits not to mention possibly the best wines, came from the Domaiane of Marc Jambon in Macon.  They were nice enough to contribute to our dinner a bottle of wine the purchased while we were at the Domaine.  Both went well with our Spinach, Kale, and Arugula Salad. Very tasty indeed.

 

Chez Joly owner Christian Joly generously offered to waive corkage fees and the usual $500 room charge.  We had the whole restaurant to ourselves the entire evening.

 

Red burgundies we tasted in the first flight included 1989 (bonus wine) and 1990  Nuits Saint Georges (both from Domaine Clos de L'Arlot), 1990 Gevrey-Chambertin (Domaine Marchard-Grillot) and 1990 Beaune (Domaine Louis Latour, 1er Cru, Vignes Franches) with a choice of Pork Cheeks Braised in Red Wine or Pan Roasted Salmon.  

We limited the dinner to 14 pours and, ironically, 7 people chose Pork Cheeks and 7 chose Salmon.  The Nuits St. Georges wines were on the light side, hint of apricot, but otherwise rather one dimensional.  On the other hand, the Beaune was comparatively complex and quite delicious. The latter received the most 1st place votes of the first flight.

Then 1990 Charmes-Chambertin, Grand Cru (Mommessin); 1990 Bonne-Mares, Grand Cru (Laboure-Roi); 1990 Vosne Romanee (single vineyard from Les Haut Maizeres, Domaine Prieure-Roch); and 1993 (bonus wine) Chambertin “Clos de Beze”, Gran Cru (Domaine Pierre Damoy) with platters of cheese. The Charmes-Chambertin and Vosne Romanee both tied for the most 1st place votes of the second flight.

Finally, 1999 Warre’s Late Bottled Vintage Port with a Trio of Chocolate Ganache, Opera Torte, and Raspberry Glacage.  A great time was had by all and we can’t wait for Chez Joly to open again for dinners.

Warmest regards,
Jim Atwood, Chairman