...cross-posted from Jeebus Board now that I got the name of the first wine and to follow all the other lemmings...
Damien Laureau "Les Gents", Savennires, France 2004 from the by-the-glass menu at The Liberty Tavern in Arlington, VA on August 30, 2009. 100% Chenin Blanc, with grilled octopus and clams on a bed of grapefruit, fennel, sugar snap salad with lemon-coriander vinaigrette. Both were spectacular.
With dinner (pork chop with ham hock jus, chantarelles, and pepper mostarda accompanied by corn/potato hash in cream sauce that was amazing) a Michel Chapoutier Domaine Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon 2007 was dark red and tight tight tight when opened but eventually showed dark blackberry and cherry flavors mixed with tar, earthy notes, and black olives. Tannins are stern but there's good acidity and the wine opened a bit as the meal progressed, yielding the flavors above plus some shy violets and graphite. It will be better in 6-12 months.
Damien Laureau "Les Gents", Savennires, France 2004 from the by-the-glass menu at The Liberty Tavern in Arlington, VA on August 30, 2009. 100% Chenin Blanc, with grilled octopus and clams on a bed of grapefruit, fennel, sugar snap salad with lemon-coriander vinaigrette. Both were spectacular.
With dinner (pork chop with ham hock jus, chantarelles, and pepper mostarda accompanied by corn/potato hash in cream sauce that was amazing) a Michel Chapoutier Domaine Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon 2007 was dark red and tight tight tight when opened but eventually showed dark blackberry and cherry flavors mixed with tar, earthy notes, and black olives. Tannins are stern but there's good acidity and the wine opened a bit as the meal progressed, yielding the flavors above plus some shy violets and graphite. It will be better in 6-12 months.