Just so that I can keep some of my narratives in sequence, we had a couple of dinners scheduled, before the side trip to the emergency room and before we knew that I was going to have another procedure.

The Wine Raconteur Jr and I go back many years ago, we met, when I was on a campus posted an employment flyer and he responded as I was in the process of getting the notice on the wall.  We have since become family, as my Bride and I have watched him ascent into the business arena.  There was a brief debate about whose house for this Christmas dinner, but I think their new kitchen won the moment.  Of course, my Bride insisted that we bring the appetizers, especially since she took her charcuterie class and our “catering” business now has plenty of chochkas that are “necessary” for the appearance of a great board.  We also brought the wine.  We began with Chateau La Gabarre Bordeaux Rosé 2020 and is in the commune of Galgon on the Right Bank, northwest of Lalande-de-Pomerol. The estate has been in the Gabard family since the 1800’s and the present stewards are Stephane and Paola Gabard.  They use sustainable farming practices and the soil is gravel, clay and sand and the average age of the vines are between fifteen and thirty-five years.  Besides this wine they also produce a Bordeaux Blanc, and a Bordeaux Supereiur; and all three wine types are done both as Chateau La Gabarre and their label “La Gabarre.”   The wine is a blend of forty-five percent Merlot, thirty percent Cabernet Franc and twenty-five percent Cabernet Sauvignon.  They use a direct press method and then age the wine for nine months in Stainless Steel to keep the fruit and crispness and they produced eight-hundred-fifty cases of this wine.  This copper-colored wine offered notes of raspberry and strawberry.  On the palate this medium-bodied, well-balanced wine displayed tones of fresh red fruit with some bright acidity and ends with medium-count finish of fruit and spices.

Our real surprise for appetizers was just revealed, when my Bride brought out this new titanium pan that she bought initially for searing Foie Gras.  I mean this could be a dangerous precedent, as a local chef did us a favor and butchered for us, six perfect medallions, eight bigger medallions and all the scraps and he put them into individual freezer packs; for us, this could be a year’s worth of pampering.  My Bride later told me that it was much easier than she had anticipated, and I think The Wine Raconteur, Jr. was also acting as her Sous-chef for firsthand experience and knowledge.  She also brought with us the proper accoutrements for plating.  The four adults were pleased, the two teenagers tried the dish, and gave the balance to their parents, who did not have a problem with the leftovers.

Fear not, while my Bride was searing the Foie Gras, I was getting the right beverage.  I found this bottle of Chateau Peillon-Claveries Dubourg Sauternes 2010 and frankly, I don’t remember where or when I secured this bottle, but the color of the wine in the bottle was deep gold and that secured my selection.  I could find very little about the estate, even though they are esteemed for having a rich heritage and admired for their craftmanship.  They only make one wine and only for approved vintages, otherwise they sell the wine to blenders for secondary market brands. The wine is a blend of hand-picked Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle; which are left on the vines until they reach that perfect ripeness and affected by the “Noble Rot” (Botrytis Cinerea).  This natural phenomenon concentrates the sugars and the flavors of the grapes and is what makes Sauternes wines international favorites.  This deep golden colored wine offered notes of honey, acacia, honeysuckle and beeswax.  On the palate the medium-bodied, well-balanced viscous wine displayed tones of honeyed apricots and peaches, creamy sweetness with a burst of natural acidity and ending with a long-count finish of honey, orange crème and toasted almonds. As a side note, the teenagers, while they didn’t respond well to the Foie Gras, they did enjoy the wine.