Thanks cometspider! Looking forward. I'm hitting the Cezanne exhibition in the morning. Lunch in DC. Steaks and big reds with the MD Winos at night....
Does it get any better than this????
PH
Posts: 9625 | Location: Maryland, USA (DC suburbs) | Registered: Nov 22, 2003
Is it too late to join in? I'm new to this forum and just saw this. I live west of Baltimore just east of Frederick. If it's no problem, I would like to join you all.
Posts: 7 | Location: Maryland | Registered: Feb 22, 2006
Sigman-- Watch the forum for the info on the March offline, which is unscheduled at present. You might also review the old posts about the other Md. offlines.
2000 Martin Ray Mariage Cabernet 2000 Hendry, Block 8, Cabernet 1999 Verite La Muse, Cabernet 2001 Pride Cabernet 1999 Abreu Madrona Ranch, Cabernet 2003 Banyuls Rimage - Clos Paulilles (500 ml)
I thought the Martin Ray was a nice wine with which to start. It is medium bodied, compared to the rest. It has nice fruit, balanced and good aroma. It tastes like wine, not overly powerful. I forgot what % alcohol it is, but it is probably less than 14%, whilst some of the others exceed that.
The Hendry, graciously provided by Gentleman Farmer, was my wife's WOTN. She liked the mouthfeel and the smoothness. We had just had a Hendry Zin two nights earlier, and the Cab is definitely superior. Very enjoyable wine.
The Verite La Muse is mostly Merlot. It needed earlier decanting. Very closed. Could age for several more years easy. Led to a discussion about "last sip in the glass vs. 1st sip." But, very nice chocolate and tobacco notes. I think Purple Haze said it was 90% Merlot.
My WOTN was the Pride. Very dark colored. From the 1st sip it was just a terrificly balanced, delicious in mid-palate, lots of black cherry, coffee, complex fruits, and a great finish. One of the best Cabs I have ever had, actually. I must have mumbled "terrific" 20 times while consuming this. Many thanks to Comet Spider for this one. I am not big on giving points, but this was a 95 for me.
1999 Abreu -- Super wine. Very dark, very powerful, great tannins, deep dark fruit, and smokiness. Opened up gradually in the glass. I saw a rating on cellar tracker where some guy gave it a 75! Either they have an 80 point scale, or it was an off bottle, or that guy needs to see a doctor.
2003 Banyuls-- This dessert wine was ok, but just ok. Didn't live up to the billing that I had seen. Our only "old world" entry, but nothing to write home about. It was not quite syrupy, not quite sweet, not quite anything. Maybe my palate was shot by all the garlic, but I won't be buying another one of these for a good while.
I should note that this restaurant serves the most powerful Caesar salad I have ever had. It is alleged to be the recipe of the late Danny Dickman, of Danny's restaurant (RIP) up on Charles street. I loved my veal shank as well. Thanks to Comet Spider for his restaurant selection.
Thanks to cometspider for the recommendation of Pazza Luna. A charming restaurant in a charming neighborhood. Great kitchen and staff to boot!
We worked on the two 2000's as the evening began. I found the 2000 Martin Ray Mariage to be a very pleasant wine with some currant and light berry notes. Medium bodied. The 2000 Hendry Block 8 Cabernet was a bit fuller in body with more complexity. It was very silky and had a medium finish.
The caesar salad was excellent, as I like stronger flavors in my caesar. Deliciously dressed with excellent lettuce (it has been a tough year for romaine) and some of the best damn croutons I've ever had!
Next in the wine lineup was the 1999 Verite La Muse. This wine was uncooperative initially, even after a half hour in the decanter. Those who killed off their pour early missed out on one of the most compelling noses I've experienced in a good while. Rich chocolate, tobacco and dark fruits with a pronounced earthy component. Super silky in the mouth with more chocolate and dark fruit. A little leather/earth followed by a long 40 second finish. This wine was truly singing at the end of the night. I will try to find more of this. A tie for my WOTN with....
1999 Abreu Cabernet Madrona Ranch. Another wine with a nose to die for. Dark fruit, spices and a nice element of sweet wood. Full bodied with a great combination of elegance and power. Long finish. This wine has years ahead of it.
A very honorable mention to the 2001 Pride Cabernet. I'd had this wine about 6 months ago, and last night's bottle was heads and shoulders a better bottle. Big, bruising nose of mocha, dark fruit and currant. A real "in your face" powerhouse of a Napa Cab. The Pamela Anderson of the evening, compared to the more elegant wines which preceeded it.
Special thanks to cometspider for bringing both the Abreu and the Pride. We talked a little about "pulling the good stuff" for our wine loving friends and competspider's generosity was a great example of this! Whew!!
By the time irwin's Banyuls was poured, my palate was shot, although I think irwin's description was pretty accurate, I'd have loved to taste it without having it follow the Pride. My taste buds were done at that point.
I had the Rack of New Zealand baby lamb encrusted with Dijon mustard, garlic & seasoned bread crumbs finished with a rosemary garlic demi glace. It was perfectly cooked (rare) and absolutely delicious. The bittersweet chocolate mousse was a great finish to another killer meal, and great evening with the MD group. It was wonderful to see Mrs. irwin and Mrs. cometspider again. You ladies classed up the event for sure!
Will post some pics once I get my act together. Gf, send your pics when you can!
PH
Posts: 9625 | Location: Maryland, USA (DC suburbs) | Registered: Nov 22, 2003
Mrs. CS and I enjoyed sharing one of our favorite stand-by places with the gang. My NY strip was a nice pairing with the big reds of the evening, but I wish it could of had a little more char: oh well. Mrs. CS informed me this afternoon that our four year old son Nicholas gave his all-important seal of approval to the "meat"- evidentally it was a lunchtime hit.
I was impressed with both our Y2K wines. Maybe I've been a little close-minded to the vintage with so many other options in the marketplace? The Martin Ray was the lightest and brightest cab of the night and a tasty blend of Napa, Sonoma, and Mendicino (sp?) grapes: soft tannins and a surprisingly long mid-palate of red fruit. The finish was a bit short. The Hendry had some licorice and earth notes to go with darker berry fruit, and the finish was a touch longer.
I could easily make an arguement for any of the three next wines as the WOTN, but ultimately and seductive power of the Pride edges out the Verite and the Abreu. I honestly think that the lesson learned/reinforced is the 1999 vintage is going to age very well. Both the Verite and Abreu showed their pedigree with spectacular noses once they opened up, but the wine never really caught up to the aroma for me. In three or four years these wines will be all that much better. The 2001 Pride was rich with chocolate covered cherries and vanilla extract, somehow balanced enough not too come off as a carnival show.
The banyuls suffered from following three 93+ wines in my estimation and was too overtly pruney to pair well with the dark chocolate dessert for my taste.
Pazza Luna was very kind to us, providing fresh, sizeable cab glasses (Reidel Vinum?) for each new bottle. It was not the culinary treat that some of the previous off-lines have been (thank you Irwin!), but more of a casual "steak" and cab evening amongst friends. We missed you Festiva!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: cometspider,
Posts: 754 | Location: Baltimore, MD, USA | Registered: May 09, 2003
folks, i am moving back home to Maryland in mid-March. will be living in bethesda, working in D.C. hope you make these offlines a fairly regular thing as i would love to join you.
Pazza Luna is written up in the current issue of Baltimore Magazine, dated March, 2006. They don't mention us, but I guess they went to print before the dinner, since today's mail brought the magazine. They do mention the steak that CometSpider had, and also the Lamb Chops enjoyed by Purple Haze.
Last night's gathering was a very relaxing end to a busier than usual weekend. Spending it with good friends and good wine in such a charismatic restaurant was just what I needed!
Pazza Luna was able to achieve those things I consider necessary to warrant a return visit:
The setting
Very comfortable and the staff attentive and cordial without being bothersome. They understood our needs and quickly responded to our requests with sincere enthusiasm. Our server was a delight, and her appreciation of the tastes we offered was genuine.
The portions
More than ample to satisfy a hungry diner. Each course was a feast o’plenty.
The flavor and presentation
The crusty bread, evoo, and roasted garlic cloves - yummy! Who cares about carbs, I could have sopped up the entire bottle with slice after slice had decorum permitted.
PH nailed the Caesar. I also prefer strength of flavor in a Caesar, and trust me, this one did not disappoint. In fact, it was the first time I’ve had a Caesar that overpowered a Cabernet.
Like Cometspider, I too would have liked a bit more char on the 16 ounce New York Strip. Paradoxically, it was ever so slightly overdone to my liking. Had the grill temps been higher, I am sure the balance I desire would be achieved. The cracked pepper and mushrooms accessorized a very nice cut of beef. Even so; I could have skipped dessert and handled another half-portion. (Yes folks, I can eat a lot of VERY rare beef!) Although I left most of the mashed potatoes and peas on the plate, both were great accompaniments.
Speaking of dessert, I chose the banana rum bread pudding with vanilla ice cream, (a justified choice and rationalization considering I didn’t gorge on potatoes and peas). The ice cream was velvety and full of vanilla bean, but the pudding was a bit dry. The late hour on a Sunday night may have contributed to this condition yet it did not take away from flavor.
Pazza Luna worked hard to make our evening a good one and they delivered.
Now, for the wines!
2000 Martin Ray Mariage – I found this wine to be somewhat delicate on the palate with a rather short but smooth finish. Slightly floral on the nose, this Cabernet would be an excellent choice to transition a casual wine drinker to the wonderful world of sophisticated wine.
2000 Hendry Block 8 Cabernet – Another example of why I should trust my instincts and not paint vintages with a broad brush. A longer finish in comparison to the Martin Ray, the Hendry was sleek with a hint of smoke and blackberry. Irwin, all of your fine attributes notwithstanding, your lovely wife has excellent taste!
1999 Verite La Muse – I am quickly coming to the conclusion offlines need to be all day and all evening affairs. This wine was quite closed and could easily stand 4 – 5 hours in the decanter. My last sip started to reveal what PH alluded to. Unfortunately, a tiny sip was all I had left to evaluate and now I find myself thirsting for another try.
2001 Pride Cabernet – This is the stuff that makes you want to tighten your seatbelt. Pride reminds me of what first attracted me to wine – deep, rich flavor and satisfaction. I wish I had another forkful of Caesar when this monster was poured; it would have “crushed” the garlic! Of all the offerings, this one was the perfect match with the New York Strip and would easily have been my WOTN had it not been for the…
1999 Abreu Madrona Ranch – My pour enjoyed extra time in the glass and was heaven from the first sip. The richness revealed power and frankly, I gave up trying to measure its finish. Lots of plumy overtones with a trace of mineral, this wine reminded me of why I need to acquire and drink more Bordeaux.
2003 Banyuls – In spite of the less than enthusiastic reviews of our dessert wine, I am regretting having passed it up. Note to the gracious Ms. Cometspider: Thanks for helping me remember all of my accessories; maybe next time include “kicking me” if I choose to pass up a taste again!
Well gang, that pretty much sums up my take on our “Night in Locust Point.” Festiva, if it sounds like I am rubbing it in, you’re right. You missed a wonderful night buddy. Get well soon!
------------------------------ "Hey Man, I'm drinking wine, eating cheese and catching some rays." Oddball
Man, I picked the wrong time to catch a cold! They didn't have chicken soup on the menu, did they? Not that I could have enjoyed any of the excellent wines and food, let alone smell them. I'm feeling much better now, and I can at least live vicariously through everyone's excellent notes.
So who filled in for me and tried to torch the place?!?!?
Good call on the Hendry. I've really enjoyed their wines, including the 2000.
Glad to hear the 99 Abreu was a fan favorite. How much more cellar time do you think it needs? Is the Pride an equally long ager?
Were you able to decant any of the wines?
Most importantly, where's the pictures?
Looking forward to next month!
Posts: 940 | Location: Ellicott City, MD | Registered: Dec 27, 2004
My guess is that the Abreu needs 3-4 years to be entering the "zone." If I only had a couple Prides, I wouldn't touch one for 5 years +. Both were very nice regardless.
The Verite was decanted for a half hour (not nearly long enough) and the others were opened and allowed to breathe in the bottles.
Pics coming tomorrow, probably. Just got Gf's and mine are at home. Will get crackin'!
PH
Posts: 9625 | Location: Maryland, USA (DC suburbs) | Registered: Nov 22, 2003
Ok, here's what I have so far. I think I've missed a couple good shots, so may add some after I get home and review. Are we the only offline group who posts photos any more??
PH
Posts: 9625 | Location: Maryland, USA (DC suburbs) | Registered: Nov 22, 2003
We do this once a month (at least so far!) So keep an eye on this board for the March offline thread!
We talked a little about "pulling the good stuff" for our wine loving friends and competspider's generosity was a great example of this! Whew!! 
Of all the offerings, this one was the perfect match with the New York Strip and would easily have been my WOTN had it not been for the…
