Andrew Murray Wines & Delius

Friday, May 17, 2013

Sold out dinner tonight at Delius. Andrew Murray was in attendance and pouring his wines. I was seated at the table with Andrew and Kevin Butler of the Henry Wine Group. It had been quite a few months since I have seen Kevin. Another wine geek that knows more about wine than most people.

Andrew was running a little late so they poured us a glass of the newly released Viognier. I am not a big fan of white Rhone wines but this actually went very well with the Sea Bream

First Course: Crispy Skinned Mediterranean Sea Bream, Roasted Marble Potatoes and Roasted Apricots - served with a 2011 RGB (Roussane - Greanche Blanc) - you could really get the Grenache Blanc out of this wine and the Roussane was just a bit player. The fish was excellent, moist, and cooked perfectly, The lightly salted skin had a nice crunch to it.

Second Course: Roasted Fig and Pork Cheeks - full of flavor and tender - Wine paired with this dish was 2011 Esperance. Again a very good pairing.

Third Course: Braised Rabbit, Cassoulet, Squash Blossom Fritters. I love rabbit and wish more restaurants would have it on their menus.  The fritters were to die for. Paired with a 2011 Tour les Jours Syrah.

Fourth Course: Rack of Lamb, Blackberry Rosemary Compote, Fava Beans, Creamy Polenta. . Very good dish except that I am not a Fava Bean lover. I ate them but I would not have missed them if they were not on the plate. The polenta was very creamy. Lamb was cooked perfectly for me.. Served with a 2011 Watch Hill Vineyard Syrah. Excellent pairing.

Dessert was an Espresso Panna Cotta, Chocolate Sugar Cookie, Caramel Sauce.

At  the end of the meal I was stuffed. Pours of the wine were generous. A bonus wine thrown in.  Food was great. Service excellent.  And had great conversation with Andrew and Kevin.