January 19, 2008 - Windows on Minnesota,
Celebrating Bordeaux (Cont'd)
The Dinner
The great Château of Bordeaux produce some of the best Cabernet- and Merlot- based red wines in the world. At Windows on Minnesota we "Celebrated Bordeaux" with a selection of both white wines and three spectacular reds that had been resting in our cellar for a number of years. They were:
- Château Gloria 1986, Saint-Julien
- Château Certan de May 1986, Pomerol
- Château Lafite Rothchild 1986, Pauillac
One can imagine the challenge of preparing food to accompany some of the world's most renowned wines; who better to call upon than the chefs at Windows on Minnesota. They know how to stage a celebration. It begins with a room regally appointed, and a menu of seven courses, each finely tuned to the Bordeaux wine that accompanied it. (see: Menu)
Le Sorbet de Bacchus
Each course was announced with Trumpet Fanfare and from the opening Consommé en Croûte to the concluding Apple Tartlet, the dinner stood the challenge of the fine Bordeaux wines. Two highlights for this observer were the Sturgeon Quenelle accompanied by a white Graves, and the Grilled Pine Rubbed Rack of Lamb served with the Château Certan de May. One of the most dramatic moments came as the room was darkened and trays of Sorbet de Bacchus, served on a candlelit block of ice, were paraded into the room.
A Wine Assessment
Warren Gregory, our guest wine expert, observed that the Château Gloria 1986, the least pedigreed wine of the three big reds, was the most pleasing at this point in time. He felt that the Château Lafite Rothchild 1986 would have benefited from another five years of aging before opening.
The Applause
We always invite our Chef and his staff to take a bow at the close of the meal. Indeed, the bow was well deserved this night; perhaps that explains why Chef Stankey is blushing.
(L to R) Robert Garay, Shannon Stewart, Seng Sengpanya, Thierry Penichot,Solomon Shaheer, and Chef Mark Stankey