SEPTEMBER GUILD EVENT

A buncha big bottles. Magnums! [Click to embiggen.]

Tonight’s Guild event will be held at Paul’s, and it promises to be extra-special: Our Fearless Leader will be providing all of the wines, and many of them will be from large bottles.

Houston Steve plans to be there, and I expect that the Grouchy Old Gourmet will join us too. Based on my last experience with Paul’s, it should be a fine evening from a food standpoint... and the wines at these affairs are almost always exceptional.

Here’s what’s on the Food- and Wine-Docket:

Reception
Ferrari Carano Fumé Blanc 2008

Jumbo lump crab Louis in a tart shell, vegetable spring rolls with sweet chili sauce

First Course: Wines in Magnums
Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1984***
Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1986***
Groth Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994****

Thyme-roasted quail salad, mixed greens, cranberry vinaigrette

Second Course: Wines in 750’s
Stag’s Leap Winery Napa Valley Petite Syrah 1996***
Stag’s Leap Winery Napa Valley Petite Syrah 1997****
Stag’s Leap Winery Napa Valley Syrah 1996**

Grilled lamb medallion, rosemary potato cake, sweet garlic jus

Third Course: Wines in Magnums (pictured above)
Château Pavillon Rouge Margaux 1999****
Château Quinault “L’Enclos” Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 1999****
Château Sénéjac Haut-Médoc 2000****

Baked filet mignon Wellington, sweet peas, glacéed onions

Dessert

Pistachio ice cream profiterole, chocolate soup

I won’t pretend to be suffering as I run off to stuff myself with this fancy-pants fodder, all sluiced down with high-class vintage Juice of the Grape. It should be a gas.

Update: The food was all excellent, and I’ve noted my preferences with asterisks.

A few extras:
Villa Fidelia Rosso 1999***, a Meritage-style blend of 70% Merlot, the balance Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Château Karolus 2000***.
Château Latour 1972. This last wine was characterized by Houston Steve thusly: “It is what it is, but it is not what it was.” And Fearless Leader Pat described it as “the top of the bottom of the barrel.” A fine château, but an unexceptional year and a wine well past its prime. Alas.