A call was put out that the doctor had not seen his patients in quite some time. One of them quickly suggested that a durian smoothie was in order. In record time, a group of patients convened at New Dong Khanh Restaurant in Boston. A series of eclectic wines accompanied a delicious meal consisting of Vietnamese spring rolls with peanut hoisin sauce, daikon and pickled carrot; mini-crepes with shrimp and coconut milk; lotus root and chicken stir fry; quail; deep fried soft shell crab; shrimp with mustard sauce, roasted walnuts and broccoli; deep fried whole flounder; and spicy beef with peppers. Topped off with a nasty smelling durian smoothie that tasted barely OK (as long as you did not breathe in through your nose).
As for the wines, many excellent ones and only a couple duds. The Foreau Vouvray was sadly OTH. The other doctor contributed a brown bagged Chinese Lychee wine that gave the durian shake a run for its money: I could not make it pass my lips. The Cornelissen Susucaru 2 had some impressive chunks at the bottom having been stood upright for several days before serving - it was quite a nice wine, as was the 2004 Vodipivec Vitovska. Mr. Coffee served 2004 Alain Voge Cornas "Vieilles Fontaines" that was beautiful. The Deiss pinot was nice, but simple. The Prum Auselesen were both fantastic, but the 1994 was amazing: both great with the soft shell crab and a brilliant contrast between young and old. The Mon Aieul was very nice but way too young and angry still. The 1992 Chave Hermitage was drinking very well too, as were the 98 St Cosme Gigondas, the 2001 Clos Rougeard Saumur "Breze". The 1983 Von Hvel Oberemmeler M-S-R Auslese was also outstanding. In short, exactly what the doctor ordered. Major thanks to the organizational patient who just happens to speak Vietnamese, ensuring a dinner one might not ordinarily achieve there.
On edit, amazingly I neglected to comment on the 2009 LaPierre Morgon that I brought as part of the ongoing wake / tribute to Marcel LaPierre. Decanted into my $5 closeout Linens & Things glass pitcher (it's no Mr. Coffee but it holds its own) when I arrived, this was beautiful after an hour with many good years ahead of it. Bravo.
As for the wines, many excellent ones and only a couple duds. The Foreau Vouvray was sadly OTH. The other doctor contributed a brown bagged Chinese Lychee wine that gave the durian shake a run for its money: I could not make it pass my lips. The Cornelissen Susucaru 2 had some impressive chunks at the bottom having been stood upright for several days before serving - it was quite a nice wine, as was the 2004 Vodipivec Vitovska. Mr. Coffee served 2004 Alain Voge Cornas "Vieilles Fontaines" that was beautiful. The Deiss pinot was nice, but simple. The Prum Auselesen were both fantastic, but the 1994 was amazing: both great with the soft shell crab and a brilliant contrast between young and old. The Mon Aieul was very nice but way too young and angry still. The 1992 Chave Hermitage was drinking very well too, as were the 98 St Cosme Gigondas, the 2001 Clos Rougeard Saumur "Breze". The 1983 Von Hvel Oberemmeler M-S-R Auslese was also outstanding. In short, exactly what the doctor ordered. Major thanks to the organizational patient who just happens to speak Vietnamese, ensuring a dinner one might not ordinarily achieve there.
On edit, amazingly I neglected to comment on the 2009 LaPierre Morgon that I brought as part of the ongoing wake / tribute to Marcel LaPierre. Decanted into my $5 closeout Linens & Things glass pitcher (it's no Mr. Coffee but it holds its own) when I arrived, this was beautiful after an hour with many good years ahead of it. Bravo.