Last Friday I enjoyed dinner at one of my favorite Triangle restaurants, Nana's in Durham, NC. Scott Howell is the chef. I order the 2011 Domaine Daulny Sancerre to sip before the entree came out, but the duck breast was so quick to the table that I ended up finishing the Sancerre later. With the duck breast I had the SOKOL BLOSSER RED EVOLUTION, Second Edition, which was listed as a Pinot Noir but is actually a Syrah-based blend. The Sokol Blossers don't reveal the exact varieties used in the Red Evolution. It sells for $15 at the winery. The winery describes the flavors as dark berries and cloves and a velvety finish. My notes: smooth, mid-weight, fruit is evident and elegant (cherries?). Good pairing with the duck breast.
2011 DOMAINE DAULNY SANCERRE Penetrating, pungent citrus nose. Not grassy or tropical. Citrus flavors fell somewhere between lemon and grapefruit but nice as its own entity without tying too closely to a particular fruit. Balanced crispness without being tart to the point of "puckery." Would be a good summer pickup.
The duck breast and creme brulee were both brilliant.
Overheard a lady at the next table saying that when Coach K's daughter (that's Mike Krzyzewski, Duke men's basketball coach and former USA Olympic coach) was getting married she couldn't have the wedding at the Duke Chapel the day she wanted because she didn't book far enough in advance. I thought that was an amusing piece of news although I suppose it was not good news for the Krzyzewski family.
Go Michigan tonight! (My second alma mater) and kudos to the University of Nebraska football team (my first alma mater) for letting Jack Hoffman, seven-year-old cancer patient, score a 69-yard touchdown in the spring game--have you all seen the video on tv or youtube? www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jmisv1Spck