Wine Dinner & Tasting, Aroma Thyme March 1st07

At Aroma Thyme Bistro, Ellenville NY, we have a monthly wine dinner and tasting. Here are the notes from our February 28th 2007 event.

Theme:

California Wines and Cuisine

The Wines:

Yorkville Sauvignon Blanc (organic grapes)

Fess Parker Viognier

Van Ruitten Charddonay

Stonehedge Zinfandel

Bonterra 1994 3L (organic grapes)

Deco Chocolate Port

Frey Late Harvest Zinfandel (organic wine, no added or detectable sulfites)

The Menu:

Crispy Artichokes with Soy Ginger Dip and Pomegranate Dip

served at the bar

Our first plated course was going to be Organic Guacamole with Rice Crisps,

BUT we had a small problem with the avocados. We had some that were overripe and some that were way under ripe. So I went and bought some frozen Cavalo avocado pulp. Seemed like the next best thing in a pinch. But once the box came open we read the ingredients, as we do with everything! Yikes, SUGAR was the second ingredient, along with some preservatives. So myself, Jamie and Chris Rowley voted to send the Avocado Pulp back to the vendor.

Instead we served our Sesame Crusted Albacore Tuna Loin as the fourth course.

Second Course:

Crab and Shrimp Cake with a Wasabi Sauce

Third Course:

Hearts of Palm Salad with Lime, Orange, Tomatoes & Cilantro

Fourth Course:

The Tuna

Fifth Course:

Hanger Steak Skewers

Marinated in Lime, Cumin, Garlic & Cilantro Mojo

Kobe Beef Flank Steak Teriyaki

Dessert:

Our Chocolate Torte with Agave Marinated Oranges

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Yorkville Sauvignon Blanc 2005

87 points from the attendees

Some comments:

Lemony, deliciously fruity, fruity, clean, grapefruit, vanilla, lemon, citrus, pineapple, some grass aromas.

most people said they would buy this wine

Fess Parker Viognier 2004

91 points from the attendees

Comments:

Smooth, balanced, delicate, apricot, peaches, mangoes, turpentine aroma turns to fruit, loved it, got fruitier the more we tasted.

Van Ruitten Charddonay 2003

61 points from the attendees

comments:

needs more body, no finish, light but fresh, buttery, very light but enjoyed it, bitter aftertaste, light floral, took a while for the wine to express itself, licorice

Most people said they would not buy this wine

Stonehedge Zinfandel 2003

71points from the attendees

love this, it does not taste red, love the nose, cherries, light for a zin, berries, some caramel, cherry aroma, easy to drink, nothing wrong with this wine.

most people said they would buy this wine

Bonterra Cabernet 1994

89 points from our attendees

surprise for a 13 year old wine, drinking very well, not overpowering, no tannis, love it, wonderful, oak, moderate fruit

most people said they would buy this wine

Deco Chocolate Port NV

95 points from our attendees

went great with the chocolate dessert, very nice, wonderful, nice chocolate finish, some berries

most people said they would buy this wine