My wife and I celebrated my 40th birthday with an amazing 11 course meal at Fiamma in New York. They were kind enough to let me bring my own wine. Along with several wonderful course pairings (for which I have no notes) we opened a 1990 Tertre Roteboeuf and--for the foie gras course and later the cheese course--a 1999 Yquem.
1990 Château Le Tertre Rôteboeuf - Bordeaux, St. Émilion
The nose is huge, full, deep and fairly dark...really fantastic. On the palate it does not disappoint. Rich with a sweet core. Very deep with dark coffee notes. There is a long finish with a hint of bitterness. This is a smooth, super silky, sexy wine with a very elegant mouthfeel. It is powerful and big, well structured and warm with some iron tannins, olive and toasted oak. It represents a medium-modern style. It is drinking beautifully and will hold well for a while longer. Really a wonderful experience.
A
1999 Château d'Yquem - Bordeaux, Sauternes
Rich, silky, sweet, exotic with lots of botrytis and slight burnt notes. Long finish. Not extremely subtle, but broad and smooth with good complexity and plenty of acid to give it backbone. This will live a long time. Gorgeous.
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Courses (as I remember them):
Scottish Langoustines, Chilled Fennel Anise Soup
Fresh imported mozzarella with shaved white truffle, olive oil
Escargot and Prawns, Grilled Country Bread
Latini Spaghetti, West Coast Sea Urchins, “Frutti di Mare”
Seared foie gras on pork sausage, garbanzo beans
Roasted Dover Sole, Grilled Radicchio Treviso, Condimento Balsamico, Dill Blossoms
Slow cooked pork belly, romanesque au jus, rosemary
Concord sorbet
3 cheeses, pepper jelly, seasonal honey, quince, fig
Toasted brioche with quince ice cream
Milk Chocolate Cream, Praline Powder, Gianduia Ice Cream
Brown Butter Cake, Apple Butter, Ricotta Gelato
I've never felt so much like a celebrity!
