Chef Sabo, Director of Wine, Thierry Pradines & Raphael Winemaker Richard-Olsen Harbich
On Friday the 13th, I had the pleasure of attending an exclusive wine dinner at The Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, featuring Raphael wines.
When I arrived I was escorted through the Museum by the lovely Erica Giering, Marketing Manager for Restaurant Associates (her company manages the dining at the Met), passing by statues and works of art. The Trustees Dining Room was located on the 4Th Floor. On the way, I was shown the Met's Petrie Court Cafe and Wine Bar. I am hoping to visit again soon as the menus and wine lists look spectacular. Check out the Met's delicious dining options: http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/dining/
The dinner was held in the Trustees Dining Room. A cocktail reception was held in an adjoining library lounge. Guests were treated to Raphael Sauvignon Blanc & hors d'oeuvres while Winemaker Richard-Olsen Harbich shared conversation with us.
When dinner was ready we were led into the private Trustees Dining Room. This room was small and included a full glass wall and ceiling which in the daytime, I guess has a beautiful view of Central Park.
Chef Fred Sabo created a delicious menu, paired perfectly with Raphael's wines.
Appetizer
Butter Poached Main Lobster
Raphael 2007 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
Second Course
Pan Roasted Long Island Duck
Raphael 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
(This seemed out if order, but Winemaker Richard-Olson Harbich explained that since Merlot ripens better than Cabernet Sauvignon on Long Island, that LI Merlot's are more powerful. After tasting the next course, I agreed.)
Main Course
Braised Short Ribs
Raphael Merlot First Label 2001 Raphael Merlot First Label 2005
No knife required...the beef melted off the bone. Both wines were great pairs. My favorite was the 2005 which is a brighter more tannic wine than its older brother. This was an example of vintage differences influenced by 4 more years of vine age and combined with more favorable weather.
Dessert
Chocolate Trio Raphael Vintage Port 2005
This was awesome. I did not know about Raphael's vintage port. Richard said that only 50 cases were produced...just about enough for the Petrocelli family I presume.
The restaurants at the Met are managed by Restaurant Associates. Their Director of Wine, Thierry Pradines was in attendance and commend Richard for being the author of Long Island's three AVA's (Official American Viticultural Area's...North Fork of Long Island, The Hamptons and Long Island).
As I sipped my wines it was easy to remember Raphael's Ex-Vineyard Manager Benjamin Sisson, a gentle seasoned professional that grew the grapes used to make these wines. Sadly Ben passed away in January unexpectedly at the ripe young age of 49. Richard and I mentioned this to the guests and we all gave a toast to Ben. He will be sorely missed.
Raphael has come a long way since the project started 12 years ago. I strongly recommend that anyone visit their magnificent wine estate and taste their wines.
Website: http://www.raphaelwine.com/
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2009- "WINE LOVERS TOUR"
Now back to work...the real reason I was in town was to host a sold-out tour to Long Island wineries. The theme was valentine's day...so Steve the Motor Coach Driver and I were the only ones on the bus without a date! It was 56 guests/ 28 couples from as far away as Atlanta all with a common love for wine and food.
We picked up guests at The Soho Grand Hotel, Grand Central Station, Hicksville and Commack. Along the way we showed the movie "No Reservations" which is a romantic glimpse at the pressures of the restaurant business.
When we arrived on the North Fork I was pleased that the weather was unusually warmer than normal for a February. Guests were receptive and eager to learn about the region and wine in general. After a spin through the Macari estate, we headed straight to Duck Walk Vineyards North. Their mammoth new tasting bar was just large enough to fit our group around for their tastings. The wines were delicious and reasonable in cost. A Duck Walk exclusive, Blueberry Port was a big hit with the group.
Co-Owner Alexander Damianos made an effort to greet everyone and offered a special discount. The attendees all took advantage and purchased quite a good amount. Our only problem was Duck Walk sales system was slower than I would have liked. As a result we were 30 minutes late to our lunch.
For this tour I selected a new restaurant, Amano Osteria & Wine Bar in Mattituck. It has been created by Adam Lovett and LI Super Chef Tom Schaudel. They closed the restaurant especially to accommodate our group.
Staff was efficient and the food was delicious and supplied in mega portions. Appetizers were super sized and could have been called Entrees!
First Course
Meatballs/Ricotta/Tomato/Basil Or Steamed P.E.I. Mussels/Tomato/Tarragon/Vermouth
Second Course
Orrechiette/Spicy Veal Sausage/Tomato/Pecorino
Or
Grilled Chicken Salad/Roasted Peppers/Mushrooms/Tomatoes
Or
Roasted Tomato Risotto/Pecorino/Basil
Dolci
Olive Oil-Almond Cake
Or
Gelati/Sorbetti
Orrechiette/Spicy Veal Sausage/Tomato/Pecorino
Local wines were also offered by the glass. I tried a Borgesse 2007 Sauvignon Blanc that reminded me of a citrusy Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
Everyone seemed to like their lunch, so I will plan to bring tours back to Amano again this year. My only suggestion would be to decrease the portion sizes.
Amano is opened for lunch and dinner. It is conveniently close to many popular wineries. Website: http://www.amanorestaurant.com/
Our second winery visited was Macari Vineyards. Our tour was now running 45 minutes behind schedule and Macari's parking lot was clogged with busses and limos. Their tasting room was completely packed and their deck which we normally use in such situations, was ripped out and under construction.
Luckily my dear friend Alexandra Macari offered that we do our tasting in their winery tank room. That was slightly awkward standing around the tanks but the guests liked the wines. We tasted some delicious new Macari wines including:
Chardonnay Estate 2007, $18.99
Stainless steel fermented, this soft wine is filled with flavors of white stone fruit, such as white cherries and peaches. With a soft, creamy quality and a lush sensation of tropical fruits, this wine is a perfect balance of fruit and acidity. It's refreshing, yet satisfying with a long lingering finish.
Chardonnay Reserve 2007, $22.99
Pale yellow in color, this brilliant and clear Chardonnay arouses the palate with beguiling aromas of tropical fruit touched with vanilla and buttered honey toast. Aged in French oak for 12 months brought about a tantalizing Chardonnay filled with flavors of toasted almonds and tropical fruits. A lush smoky quality balanced with acidity leads to a satiating mouth feel and a long velvety, satisfying
Sette, $14.99
This wine is a blend of 50% Merlot & 50% Cabernet Franc. With an enticing aroma of spice and a palate of balanced fruit, such as cherry and dried fruits, and just a touch of black olive. Medium bodied with a finish of soft, balanced yet gripping tannins, nutmeg, spice & pepper. Aged 18 months in neutral and medium oak barrels.
Bergen Road 2004 (Meritage) $42.99
This wine is a blend of 42% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. Hints of nutmeg and pepper emit aromas of wild berries cherries and plums laced with sweetness of vanilla bean. Mild, soft tannins grip the palate, intensifying into a big, juicy burst of red fruits with a luscious velvety finish.
Block E Chardonnay 2005 (Dessert Wine) $39.99
This beautiful dessert wine, crafted in the ice-wine style, exhibits deep aromas of cantaloupe and tropical fruits. The palate is saturated in a velvety mouth feel filled with the lushness of apricot and a touch of sweet apple, leading to a long, lingering finish reminiscent of pure, wild thyme honey.
Joseph Macari, JR , The winery President and a long time friend peaked into the cellar to say hello and to contribute two special bonus bottles of Alexandra for our guests to taste. I explained to the group that while this wine was the best we would taste on today's tour, that it was a shame that the bottles had not been opened for a few hours to let the wine open to it's full potential. Needless to say, we all enjoyed the special treat!
Alexandra 2004, $80.00
Made only from the finest grapes from an outstanding harvest, Alexandra, in its second vintage, is a beautifully crafted blend of 57% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. This wine exhibits grace and finesse with a velvety texture and a long lush finish.
Website: http://www.macariwines.com
After guests made their purchases, we headed to our last and finally winery, Laurel Lake Vineyards.
Laurel Lake's owner and winemaker, Juan Esteban Sepulveda was waiting for our arrival. We were all treated to a taste of Chardonnay in his wine cellar. The group was split in half. I stayed in the tank room and helped Assistant Winemaker Jose pour the tasting. Juan led the others to his barrel cellar for an exclusive barrel tasting.
Juan is a fantastic educator. His extensive winemaking background goes back to his native Chile where he has developed an awesome palate.
Website: http://www.llwines.com/
Guests were also treated to a cheese tasting in the tank room and live music in the tasting room. While we never fully regained our time schedule I believe everyone was more focused on sharing the love!
On the return, we resumed the movie to finish with a happy ending. I got off the coach in Hicksville and headed on The Long Island Rail Road to JFK. My flight was on Jet Blue. Their new Terminal 5 is located in the historic TWA building.This terminal is awesome with free WI FI and 22 restaurants. I had more than enough time to dine at Piquillo — The first Spanish tapas restaurant in a U.S. Airport. The tapas were just like ones I have had in Barcelona. I sipped a Spanish Rose and tasted these small dishes.
Gambas: Grilled head on shrimp with olive oil and sea salt
Chorizo frito al vino tinto: Sauteed spicy sausage rounds finished
with red wine.
View of T5 from Piquillo restaurant
My next Long Island Wine Country.COM VIP Public Tour is Scheduled for April 25, 2009. We are offering Grape Crushing Savings on this one.
Check it out: http://www.longislandwinecountry.com/crushsavings.html
Story and photos (C) 2009 by Christopher J Davies
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