Langued0c-Rousillon wine dinner in Raleigh

[wondersofwine]

(Posted also on another forum)

Fortunately I gassed up the night before (at $2.52 per gallon). The restaurant is Saint Jacques on Falls of the Neuse Road (owner is from France). I arrived somewhat late and didn't take notes during the meal.

Amuse bouche maison with Domaine de Nizas Rose served chilled in Champagne flutes. Pretty pale red color. Nice, unexceptional rose'.

Tilapia and green olives ragout on tagliatelle
Domaine de Nizas Sauvignon Blanc
Pleasant Sauvignon Blanc leaning towards citrus notes rather than veggies. Good wine match to the tilapia dish.

Potato and smoked bacon cake topped with bleu cheese sabayon with Chateau Donjon, Cuvee tradition, Minervois. My first Minervois and I liked it. Several at my table found it better with food than as a sipping wine. Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre blend and although it contained only 40% Syrah, the Syrah dominated the nose and flavor. It was the favorite of the night for the lady sitting across from me.

Lemon sorbet (palate cleanser)

Lamb and mushroom stew, caramelized pearl onions, tourneed carrots with Cuvee de Pena (Grenache)

Reaffirmed my preference for Grenache in blends (most of the time). Wasn't thrilled with the wine but the stew was very tasty.

The dessert of pear and pastry cream on a "Tarte en Bande" (with a caramelized sauce decorating the plate) was to have been matched with a Muscat de Beaume de Venise (which undoubtedly would have been a better complement to the dessert) but wanting to stick with the Languedoc Rousillon region and not stick in a Rhone, the distributor brought a red dessert wine. My first sniff caused me to think of late harvest Zinfandel or Port but in keeping with the dinner theme I guessed that it was Banyuls. Correct! Since this was my very first Banyuls just as it had been my first Minervois, I was pleased to have guessed correctly. The Banyuls was my wine of the night--fruity and sweet in a port-like way. I can see where it might pair well with chocolate.
Plenty of aromatic nose too. I ordered two of the 500-ml. bottles @ $23.50 to be delivered later. Will taste it from my bottles on another occasion and offer more of a tasting note.

Nice event. I sat next to a professor from North Carolina State who had also taught at my alma mater (University of Nebraska). He started there two years after I graduated but knew a lot of the professors that I had known or had as instructors.