Friday, December 21, 2007

Dinner at Basilic on Balboa Island and a delicious older Bordeaux

The wine was not ancient, but it was almost 10 years old and delicious. 1998 Chateau la Dominique from Saint Emilion, made from mostly Merlot and Cabernet Franc - a nose that jumped out of the glass immediately upon release from the bottle, giving up red fruits, pepper, pie spices; the palate, full of richness, rustique, a dash of barnyard, savory aspects, earth, pepper, baking spices, olive, cherry, and young as ever - not giving away its age at all - if this wine were from elsewhere, it would be like a 2005. It didn't taste a day over 2 years! No brickish color, nothing, totally purple/red. Great wine.

Oddly, on Winesearcher, it is $35 on WineBid and $79 at Wally's (retail store up in Westwood). We paid $95 for it. It's a rare place we dine (and love) that we don't bring our own wine to.

It's a restaurant where it's like stepping into Europe (except for all the Americans seated around us). Love it. It is possibly my favorite restaurant in Southern California. Hubby discovered it for us for my birthday 2 years ago. 24 seats only, cozy as ever, and the food is delightful. I especially enjoyed the seared foie gras and the foie gras & leek terrine last evening.

And who says Bordeaux doesn't go with duck and veal? It can - to me, it didn't overpower those meats at all.

A great meal, great wine, great company - I couldn't ask for more.

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