May 19, 2007
On a clear and sunny day, a group of young men gathered to once again celebrate those men and women that are able to make beautiful wine from something as simple as the grape. The group welcomed two newcomers to the event, along with a steady cast of those that have been able to attend in prior years (some all eight).
The event would take place over some eleven hours with ten courses under the watchful eyes of Mike and Dayna Rich and their exemplary staff. This year, the food held center stage and wines from around the globe were secured to match the food.
The first course was Caviar that came from Seattle, Washington - both from sturgeon, one was black and the other, lighter caviar was infused with wasabi to give it a little punch. The Caviar was served with Vodka Creme Fraiche and Daikon, along with two beautiful Champagnes, both from the outstanding 1990 vintage - a Bollinger Grand Annee and a Charles Heidsieck Millesime Brut.
The second course arrived with much anticipation primarily because the group had never tasted any Rieslings at any prior NTR event. The suggestion came courtesy of Rich Sajbel who unfortunately passed away earlier this year after a battle with cancer. Glasses were raised in his honor and Paul DeShaw who also passed away last year. A Salade of Pacific Northwest Dungeness Crab with Papaya and Avocado were well complimented with a 2001 Fritz Haag Spatlese Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr from Germany and a 2001 Prager Wachau Smaragd Kaiserberg from Austria.
The third course of wine included a 1996 Domaine Laroche Chablis Les Blanchots Reserve De L'Obedience and a 2000 O. Leflaive Corton Charlemagne. The wine was paired with a Terrine of Pheasant Polenta with Truffled Marscapone, King Trumpet Mushrooms and Chevril.
The fourth course, a Rabbit Loin with English Pea Risotto, King Trumpet Mushrooms and Globe Basil were plated against a magnum of 1999 Chave Hermitage Blanc and a 2003 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage Chevalier de Sterimberg Blanc. The Chave was predominantly Marsanne while the Sterimberg's predominant grape was Roussanne.
As in year's past, the group took a "Stroll Through the Park." This time, however, the group was shuttled to the South Falls to take a look at what the park had to offer. The group shared a magnum of 50 year old Croft port while enjoying the scenery.
Rested and relaxed, the group returned to enjoy the fifth course, an Asian Glazed Wild Boar Chop with Burgundy Carrots and Kimchi. The wine offering included two gorgeous Chardonnay's from the Sonoma Coast, a 1997 Marcassin Gauer Ranch Upper Barn and a 1994 Peter Michael Cuvee Indigence. The sixth course, a wonderful assortment of Old World Fromage, was matched with a 1955 Ch. Lynch Bages, a 1961 Ch. Lynch Bages, a 1995 Ch. Leoville Poyferre, a 2001 Bergstrom Arcus Vineyard Pinot Noir and a 2002 Hospices de Beaune Clos de la Roche Cuvee Cyrot-Chaudron.
The seventh course, a Cassoulet ala Larry Davis, was served with a 1966 Ch. Latour, a 1978 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon, and a 1997 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red. A second "Stoll in the Park" was certainly in order - most took the time to finish wine from the last two courses and some enjoyed a Jose Seijas Signature Series 2000 Robusto cigar.
The group once again retreated to their seats to enjoy Roasted Partridge with Turnips, Wilted Chard and Hen of the Woods Mushrooms. This was plated with a 1989 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape and a 1990 Antinori Tignanello. The ninth course offered the group a Beef Tenderloin with Red Wine Braised Prunes, Gingered Chard, Namakoe Mushrooms and Sage. The wine, a 1992 Penfolds Grange and a 1998 Elderton Command Shiraz, did not disappoint.
The final course, the tenth, was a Study of the Apricot. The dessert was served with four wines, a 1967 Ch. Suduiraut, and 1979 Ch. d'Yquem, a 1983 Ch. d'Arche and a 1983 Vulkanfelsen Rulander Trockenbeerenauslese.
All agreed that this year's offerings made it another Night to Remember.