Tour of France

     Thursday August 17, 2017

Reservations Closed
Course Pairing / Description Wine
Hors D' Oeuvres Pernod Butter Snails in Phyllo (Caramelized onions, garlic and parsley) Chilled Herb Roasted Shrimp Canape (Crostini, goat cheese-chablis smear and grape tomato)
Chablis is located in the northern part of Burgundy, halfway between Dijon and Paris. The continental climate brings very cold temperatures in winter followed by spring frosts and hot summers. These conditions and the marly limestone soils combine to mold the unique character of Chablis wines. The grapes are handpicked and sorted, then gently pressed and fermented without artificial temperature control. Partial or no malolactic fermentation is permitted based on the vintage, and the wine is aged eight months in French oak. Fining and filtration is light. The goal is always to retain the wine’s complexity and structure. Burgundy’s 2015 began with a mild, wet winter and spring, for what turned out to be a hot, dry summer. The rain that did fall in summer was uneven and the dry temperatures temporarily stopped grapes from ripening. Some excellent whites were produced, but yields were low. Late hail damaged some vineyards in Chablis, forcing growers to pick quickly. Areas also experienced poor flowering and grapes with little juice and thick skins, which contributed to the low yields. The wine is pristine, bright and fresh with high acidity and citrus and mineral aromas and flavors.
Maison Louis Jadot Chablis 2015
Charcuterie & Cheese Course Gruyere, Jambon & Saucisson (sliced baguette, cornichon and duet of mustards)
Producing wines since Roman times, today the estate is owned by the Roozen family, who are continually striving to produce delicious wine, while protecting their environment. It is a beautiful estate of almost 990 acres, and with the 460 acres of vineyard spread over the hills at altitudes ranging from 919 feet to 1637 feet, this is the site of the famous plot “Les Griottes”. While in Provence do visit this beautiful estate, admire the wonderful gardens, and try its splendid wines! Les Griottes is 90% Syrah and 10% Grenache. It is an elegant and powerful wine, with a dark purple color. It is lightly spiced and smoked, with aromas of berries, dried plums and stewed fruits.
Chateau Val Joanis Luberon Les Griottes 2015
Beef Course Provencal Braised Beef Short Rib (Pan jus reduction, haricot verts with garlic and brie mashed potatoes)
Clos de L’Oratoire des Papes dates back to the late 1800’s when it was established by the Armouroux family. The estate took its name from the small chapel located in their Southern Rhone Valley vineyard. In 1999, the owner of Ogier Caves des Papes purchased Clos de L’Oratoire des Papes from the Amouroux family. Clos de L’Oratoire des Papes owns over 54 acres of vines in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation. Almost 51 of these acres are used to produce red Chateauneuf du Pape wine grapes. Clos de L’Oratoire des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape is produced from 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault . The vines for this wine are close to 50 years of age. The wine is aged in a combination of foudres and French oak barrels, some of which are new, but most are used. The wine is aged for 10-12 months before bottling. On average, the annual production is 7,000 cases per year. Medium bodied, soft, silky, and spicy, this is a forward, charming wine with freshness, energy and peppery, sweet cherries.
Clos de L’Oratoire des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2014
Game Course French Country Venison Meatball (Cappelini nest, rich tomato mushroom forestiere sauce with truffled parmesan and olive oil toasted bread crumbs and micro herbs)
Château Picque Caillou is located at the gates of the city of Bordeaux in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, the Bordeaux vineyards historic cradle. A close neighbor of the prestigious Haut-Brion and Pape Clément châteaux, this approximately 52 acre vineyard carries a name indicative of its pebbly soils that originated from sediments deposited by the nearby Garonne River over thousands of years. In 2006, Paulin Calvet took over the daily running of the vineyard, breathing new life into the estate and giving it new impetus. The wines of Picque Caillou quickly acquired higher levels of quality and consistency, soon attracting the attention of numerous wine professionals. It was in 2007 that consultant oenologists, Professor Denis Dubourdieu and Valerie Lavigne joined the winemaking team, bringing their technical rigor and skill. So a top quality wine was born. This is a wine that displays superb balance and delicacy, reflecting perfectly the values of the prestigious Pessac-Léognan appellation. The 2012 is a classic Picque Caillou blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Its color is deep, rich purple and its nose is beautifully perfumed with pure, fresh bramble fruit aromas. On the palate, this is a full bodied wine with fleshiness, smooth texture and concentrated, fragrant, spiced berry flavors. There are plentiful tannins, but they are silky and ripe, becoming supple. The finish is fine and long.
Chateau Picque Caillou Pessac-Leognan 2012
Dessert Course Layered Cognac Flambéed Peach Crème Brûlée (Caramelized sugar lid, citrus cookie and whipped cream with fresh raspberries)
Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut is a classic, structured, full-bodied and bursting with fruit Champagne. The blend is composed of a majority of Pinots Noir, incorporating more than 100 vineyards from around the Champagne region and Pinots Meunier from the Grande et Petite Montagne de Reims region. Just like a self-assured romantic character with a strong and chatty personality, this champagne teases and allures us with its festive, light-drenched, pale gold shimmer and joyful display of neat, lively bubbles. It has notes of almond and fresh hazelnut which accompany the precise ascent of its bubbles. It is lively, subtle and light, leaving a deliciously incisive sensation of smoothness, marked by the pureness of fresh pear and apple and a delicate hint of citrus fruits. It finishes with a harmonious mixture of bright, crunchy pomelo, blonde grapes and juicy white fruits which create the delightfully surprising sensation of lightness embraced by the structure and depth from the Pinot Noir; all beautifully balanced.
Piper Heidsieck Champagne Brut Cuvee NV