A Birthday at Manresa

July 10, 2010


Another joyous occasion brought my family getting together to celebrate my brother's birthday. Before going to the renowned restaurant of Manresa, the day was spent by going for a walk around Los Gatos doing a little shopping, lunch at California Cafe, and a relaxing afternoon enjoying each other's company.

Lunch Wine:
Poderi Aldo Conterno Chardonnay Bussiador 2001***
Golden color this richly aromatic wine boasted dried pineapple and a touch of coconut on the nose. The palate was full of perfumed tropical fruits and minerality, but maintained nice balance and good acidity. This wine is big in everyway, but shows wonderful layers and provides considerable pleasure to the senses.

Pre-dinner Wine:
Philipponnat Champagne Royal Reserve NV**+
Citrus notes prevailed with a baseline of toast and yeasty character. The mouth was full from the 8g/l dosage and greater percentage of Pinot Meunier used. Was a great way to start things off for the evening, but probably needed a little food to go with it.

The menu was filled with playful elegance and sophistication. There was a concerted effort to focus on freshness and the bounty of local produce. The table began with a couple amuse bouche to awaken the senses. First was a shooter of chilled strawberry soup and followed by an egg shell filled with rich and creamy goodness consisting of the yoke toped with a custard sporting a little spice. I followed those starters with a garden green soup, stone ground mustard cream and multicolored purees. This had a great presentation of select flora that were enveloped tableside by the contents of a black kettle teeming with a healthful and deliciously creamy green liquid. That was followed with a preparation of lightly breaded local abalone with savory mushrooms. It was time to return to the land once again with the Beef bavette roasted in its own fat, savory morel mushrooms on a smooth base of pureed potatoes. As a table we then shared a selection of eight artisan cheeses, ranging in firmness, pungency and locale. It is always a great treat to enjoy a variety of fromage from around the world. For dessert I was served a miniature flowerpot filled with a Lemon Verbena cheesecake below a toasty crust, fresh berries, and a top soil of creme fraiche and edible flower petals.

Dinner Wines:
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose 2008***+
I stand by what I have said previously about this wine, this is the best rose in the world. Completely dry but full of fruit and plenty of nuance. Strawberries and melons flow over the top of wonderful minerality and refreshing acidity. So, so good.

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Keefer Vineyard 2005***+
Showing that classic KB nose of hugely perfumed aromatics that make it so difficult to take your nose out of the glass. Bright red fruit throughout, showing red raspberries, rhubarb, and rainier cherries. Lovely mouthfeel that completely coated without being heavy.

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 4-Barrel 2004***+
A wonderful follow up to the Keefer, this wine was deeper and darker and an appropriate step in the right direction in terms of weight. I believe that both the vintage and style of the 4-Barrel bottling were to thank for this progression. There was blackberry, black cherry, and soy on this wine. The richness was a great match with the red meat and cheese that followed.

Spending time with my family to celebrate a birthday and doing exactly what we all enjoy most was an ideal way to spend a weekend. Manresa was a wonderful experience, from the fantastic service, imaginative food, great wine service, comfortable feel, and kitchen tour. This was yet another truly memorable meal and in of itself, reason to celebrate.

Cheers!


0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!

Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.