Hyatt Huntington and Medlock Ames Wines

Friday, May 24, 2013

This was the 4th wine dinner I have attended at the Hyatt. The first were mediocre , the 3rd improved at lot and this 4th one was very good. Small crowd in attendance tonight. We had a table of 8 and there were only 6 other people plus the wine rep and the winemaker. Total of 16. Small turnout probably because no one was familiar with the wines. The winery is based in Sonoma and was new one for me. An organic and holistic winery.  The wines are all very good but a little pricey.

We started out the a glass of the Sauvignon Blanc and passed appetizers out on the lawn area of the hotel facing the beach.

Our first course also included another glass of the 2012 Sauvignon Blanc served with Sustainable California Crudo -  sliced scallop with red grapefruit slice, micro thinly sliced French Breakfast Radish. Sitting in a sauce of green. Cannot remember what they said it was but it was not to my liking. Others at the table disagreed with me.

Next came Laura Chanel Cabecou Cheese with a tomato, nut tapendae and crostini. Goat cheese aged in olive oil and herbs. Excellent. The chef gave me 2 small containers of the cheese to take home. A 2011 Chardonnay was poured. Too oaky for me but it did pair well with the fattiness of the cheese otherwise I would have been able to drink it.

Third course was a Braised Lamb Ravioli, Cilantro Pistou, English Peas , Pea Puree and Cotija Cheese. Again a very good dish. Loads of flavor. Paired with a 2009 Oldest Vines, Jefferson Clone,. Merlot. Best wine of the night. Well balanced and loads of complexity.

Main course was Roasted Brandt Rib Eye (the very center cut of the ribeye), Ramp Bernaise and Crispy Cippolinis. Steak was cooked perfectly and had good flavor. They poured a 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon with this dish. Nice wine but the Merlot was better.

Dessert was a plate with Dried Blueberries, Roasted Marcona Almonds, Dark Chocolate Truffles and Point Reyes Toma Cheese. The wine was a 2009  red blend

This was a very good dinner and wine pairing. Another dinner is being planned for August. Hope they keep up with the good food,