TN: Duck Dinner

[Mark F r a n k s]

2011 DUCK DINNER - Peter Pratt's Inn (11/10/2011)

The 17th annual "Duck Dinner" at Peter Pratt's Inn in lovely Yorktown, NY was the site of our groups latest soire. We indulged in a gastronomic orgy of duck served in a myriad of ways. Our group concluded that wines from the Rhone would be an epic match for the little duckies and so it was. Our menu consisted of the following: Hor's d'Oeuvres: Smoked Duck Pizza, Moulard Duck, Prune and Armagnac Dumplings, Grilled Venison and Duck Sausage K'bobs, Lola Duck Rillettes on Toast Points Cornichon Garnish, Peking Duck Quesadilla, Buffalo Duck Tongues 1st Course: Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Sweet Onion Bread Pudding, Quince-Winesap apple Sauce, 2nd Course: Muscovy Breast Roulade, Duck Fried Rice Stuffing, Frizzled Leeks, Orange-Scotch Bonnet Drizzle, 3rd Course: Braised Mallard Ragout, House Made Fettuccini, Burgundy Truffle Ricotta, 4th Course: Pan Roasted Lola Duck, Honey Mustard, Parsnip Puree, Fried Polenta Cube, Haricot Verts, Dessert: Duck Egg Crepes with White Chocolate Mousse, Italian Cheesecake Ice Cream. The dinner was sinfully good and with the Rhone wines was just a stunning match.

• 2006 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Initially a bit too cold as it was very tight. As it warmed a bit there were some great tropical fruit notes, hints of coconut, fresh baked bread and tea leaves. I meant to re-visit at the end of the evening, but we had so many wines it was tough to keep going. (91 pts.)
  

• 1999 Bernard Levet Côte-Rôtie La Chavaroche - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
  This had a wonderful nose of roasted meats, new leather, fresh brewed espresso and asphalt but the palate just fell off a bit and didn't deliver on the nose's promise. It wasn't bad by any stretch, but seemed a touch dated or out of whack. Still very enjoyable if just for the nose. (89 pts.)
  

• 2004 Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
  This was a great wine, fully loaded with lofty amounts of black fruit and truffles. The nose was huge, the body was big and bold and quite assertive. Drinking very well right now. (93 pts.)
  

• 2006 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
  This was an absolute "wow" wine. I couldn't take my nose out of the stem for 5 minutes as I fervently inhaled as much of the amazing scent as possible. This is a decadent wine that is worthy of it's title of WOTN at our table. The richness and silky texture of the dense fruit is amazing, just loaded with notes of licorice, violets anise, minerals and black fruits. Ridiculously good wine. (98 pts.)
  

• 1989 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
  This wine was very, very much alive and kicking. This boasted huge notes of roasted meats, roasted chestnuts, black licorice and hints of cigar smoke. A full bodied wine that was not on the decline in any way but fully matured with wonderful secondary notes. Delicious. (94 pts.)
  

• 2000 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Cuvée du Papet - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Absolutely in a wonderful place right now, this was drinking amazingly well right out of the gate. Rich, deep fruit flavors, lots of raspberry notes mixed with sandalwood, this had a beautiful texture and great length. (94 pts.)
  

• 2001 Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Sixtine - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  I liked this and thought it got better as the night wore on, but initially I found the back end of the wine to be a touch astringent, this seemed to fade and a very nice wine emerged with a nice amount of red fruit flavors, hazlenut and Christmas spice notes. (91 pts.)
  

• 2004 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Described as a "slutty" wine by many at the table, I had to wholeheartedly agree. This put an instant smile on face as I kept thinking I was drinking a SQN Grenache! The flavor profile was very similar to me. Velvety texture, well balanced but ridiculously hedonistic. I loved every sip. (95 pts.)
  

• 2006 Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée les Grenaches de Pierre - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Outstanding wine! This was a monster but a tame one, deep, rich, velvety waves of plums, blackberry, creosote and Asian spices mixed with fresh ground coffee and hints of vanilla beans. The texture was divine and the finish lasted for great deal of time. (95 pts.)
  

• 2007 Patrick Lesec Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Bargeton - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Very tight initially it took a good amount of time to flesh out, but it was very nice once it got its act together. Nose of fresh paved roadway, black licorice, spices and prunes, the palate pretty much mirrors the nose. I was looking for a bit more depth from this wine to make it truly great, but it is very, very good. (90 pts.)
  

• 2007 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Pours black, huge amounts of rich, ripe fruit, a massive yet not over done or gaudy. You can feel some heat, but it's not obnoxious. Hints of vanilla cream, spices, tobacco leaf, loads of black fruit. Great wine. (94 pts.)
  

This was an epic night and much needed after our horrendous "To-Kalon" fiasco. Next month we celebrate the Holidays with some big guns.
Posted from CellarTracker

[Daniel Posner]

Some lineup

so many of them look awfully young

all decanted? opened for 8-12 hours?

[Mark F r a n k s]

Some decanted, some not. I wished I had decanted the '06 Clos des Pape Blanc, the 01 Vatican and 06 Giraud I brought were pop n pour. Both were good right out of the gate.