Bordeaux dinner at Saint Jacques Restaurant, Raleigh

[wondersofwine]

I took more food notes than wine notes Tuesday evening. We started with a nice sparkling wine from the Loire which I think we have had before as an aperitif at the Saint Jacques wine dinners. Carousel Classiques, 100% Chenin Blanc. Steady mousse of small bubbles. Refreshing. With an amuse bouche (salmon mousse? on toast with balsamic vinegar drizzle).
With goat cheese and herb ravioli appetizer on zucchini and cremini mushroom ragout we had a 2007 Verdillac Blanc, 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillion from Entre deux Mers. Seemed a little sweet.
With shrimp bisque (with very little cream) we had a 2007 Chateau La Freynelle, Graves, 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Semillion and 10% Muscadel. The S.B. was noticeable on both the nose and palate and this was dryer and more full-bodied than the Verdillac. I prefered it to the Verdillac but it was also more expensive.
Palate cleanser of orange-mint sorbet.
Our red wine of the evening was a 2006 Chateau Roc de Pourret, St. Emilion, a blend of predominantly Merlot. This was a nice pairing with the Coq a Vin. The chicken was left on the bone and pan seared, then braised in red wine with a bouquet garni. The cooking sauce was reduced and a little cream added. (The chicken was oh-so-tendeer.) It was served with roasted root vegetables--beets, carrots, potato, turnip and celery.
Dessert was a raspberry tart on raspberry sauce--in appearance more similar to pumpkin pie than a traditional tart. It was topped with crumbled meringue.
Our dessert wine was a Sauternes. I think it was a less expensive one from Barton & Guestier but I didn't see the label.
All this for $65 plus tax and gratuity.
A Loire dinner is scheduled for April 9.



[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 03-12-2009).]

[newsguy]

nice dinner -- and nice notes!