Sullivan Wine Dinner at Chianina

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Nice to get back to being social. Was down a solid week with a nasty head cold and had to cancelled numerous reservations that I had made.

Sullivan wines were new to me. Small, Napa based winery, 4500 case production.  Wines were good but pricey. Ross Sullivan the owner and winemaker was in attendance and came around to all the tables and chatted for quite awhile.

We started out with a Duo of Hamachi, raw and cooked with fennel, apple and brown butter. Delightful bites. Thoroughly enjoyed this dish. Wine was a 2015 Sauvignon Blanc. Light minerality, light acid and paired very well with the food flavors. 

Second course we were poured a 2015 Chardonnay. Little oaky but went well with the fattiness of the Monk Fish. Piquillo pepper, chorizo and yukon gold potatoes rounded out this plate. Flavors were really intense on this dish. Very good.

Next was Cavatelli - hand rolled pasta with black truffle, egg yolk and grana. Very rich dish. Paired with a 2012 Merlot.  I am starting to get filled up. Maybe I should not have had that 3rd roll with the Marscapone butter.

A 2013 Red Blend "Coeur De Vigne" wine was served with the fourth course. Liberty Farm Duck breast, cherry and mushroom duxelle and rutabaga  two ways, puree and sliced. The wine was a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot.  Duck was excellent, extremely tender. Had two bites and had it packed to go.

Fifth course I had one bite also and had them pack it up to go. I just cannot eat anymore.  The wine was a 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon and paired with a Chianina Rib Eye with variations of brocoili and walnut - fried and puree. Very flavorful and tender. 

They also came around and poured wine from a Magnum of 2002 Cabernet  out of the library. Massimo made the mistake of leaving the bottle on our table. Big difference in the ten years and size. Very good.

Dessert was a Cheese course with Camembert ,  a pecan brittle, black berry and honey. I did eat this. small portions and not overly filling. I just know it was those salted honey rolls that did me in.

Another excellent dinner at Chianina. www.chianina.com.

Pricey but good. service was good, food was great and wines were very good.  Looking forward to next months wine dinner at Chianina.