By: Philip Robert
We had a great dinner catered by Derrick Paez served featuring an outstanding lineup of Ivan’s wines. Each wine pairing matched wonderfully with the dish but the end pairing of French toast topped with foie gras and gilled cherries with the Los Collas blew my mind!
2008 Kesner Hudson Vineyard Chardonnay – This was a stunning example of how good California Chardonnay CAN be when done right. Reminiscent of a Kistler or Marcassin, it had full body yet was light enough on its feet that it was not cloying. Lovely pineapple and citrus with peach pit and wet stone fruit. Great minerality and cut with a delightfully long finish. Superb.
2005 Favia Cerro Sur – A great bottle with notes of dark chocolate, blackberries, and mocha on the nose. The Cab Franc really comes out on the palate bringing a soft velvety texture to the wine paired with lush black fruits and a subtle earthy note.
2006 Favia Cerro Sur – The 06 was a little more subdued than the 05 showing less fruit but with a more pronounced spice of sandalwood, vanilla, and coffee. The palate was excellent and well balanced with a long finish.
2007 Favia Cerro Sur – This was my favorite of the three Favia vintages showing fresh fruit and dark chocolate notes that were vibrant on the nose. The palate was soft with plush tannins that were well integrated into the wine.
2007 Robert Foley Howell Mountain Cabernet – This 1bottle is as delicious as it is hard to find. With only 100 cases produced this bottle can frustrating to find at times. The nose explodes with big cassis, nutmeg, vanilla, and dill. The palate shows great fruit with subtle floral notes and a load of cooking spice.
1946 Chateau Los Collas – A wonderful paring with desert the Lod Collas was soft and rich with spicy cherry, whole vanilla bean, and a orange zest.
After dinner it was time to pull out a new lineup of fantastic wines to enjoy while relaxing around the table.
1997 Chapoutier Chatenuef du Pape – This wine had all the lovely characteristics of a traditional CdP. Iron, beef blood, and bacon dominated the nose. Well balanced with a dose of black fruits, plums and black cherries. Enough acidity to carry it through the palate and a healthy finish.
2008 Thibault Liger Nuits St. Georges “Charmotte” – A lovely taste of classic burgundy. Restrained yet packed full of strawberries and red cherries. A spicy mouthfeel with black tea and Asian five spice.
1994 Ridge Montebello – This was a real treat. Deep dark color showing no bricking at the rim. This is what I love about older classically styled California Cabs and Montebellos in particular. This had all kinds of things going on in the glass, with cassis, leather, cocoa powder and black cherry flavors. A magnificent wine that was showing perfectly.
1998 Pichon Lalande – Another great example of Pichon Lalande. A nose of French funkiness, with gravel and slate, leather and a touch of coffee. Still rich and dark this has years to go before it truly matures.
2006 Corra Cabernet Sauvignon – Wow this was an absolute killer bottle. The last 06 I had was shortly after release and this bottle showed what a couple of years in the bottle will do. Thick and rich, dark chocolate, cassis, black fruits, currant and vanilla, this had everything going on. Wonderfully balanced at this stage.
2008 Rivers Marie Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – Nice little Sonoma Coast pinot. A little bigger framed than I am used to but nothing special.
2007 Conn Valley Right Bank – Lovely little right bank styled Bordeaux blend. Soft velvety tannin and ripe plums with a touch of cocoa. Love what CVV is doing with these moderately priced wines.