Hall and Walt Wine Dinner at Chianina

Wednesday. March 22, 2017

Packed house tonight at Chianina in Naples. www.chianina.com,  Kathryn Hall was in attendance with a selection of her wines.  Apparently a lot of investors in her winery were here also.  Winery is located in Napa. www.hallwines.com, www.waltwines.com

We started out with a trio of "Amuse Bouches" . A Green Garlic Arancini, Scallop Tartare and Foie Gras Terrine on Toast with Rhubarb.  Bite size and all were good but the Scallop was the best of the trio. But I would eat a plate of each one they were so good.  A 2016 Hall Sauvignon Blanc. Nice grapefruit flavor, not too acidic. Retail price tag of $28.

Second course served was  Scottish Salmon, Spring Peas. Morel Mushrooms and Puffed Rice. Great flavors and the salmon was so silky in texture. A beautiful piece of fish. Paired with a 2015 Walt Chardonnay.  Stainless steel fermented. I was not impressed with this wine. Retail price of $44.

Next we had a Nettle Chitarra Pasta. Chitarra means guitar and the pasta is square instead of round. Rabbit Sugo, Blistered Spring Onions and Tarragon. Excellent flavors but I will say it did have a strange look to it. A green pea foamy concoction with these squiggly pieces of pasta on top. Not for the people who have overactive imaginations.  The wine was a 2014Walt Pinot Noir. Grapes were sourced from Clos Pepe vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills.  Hall has leased the vineyards for 15 years starting in 2015. This was by far the best wine of the night but the pairing was off as were most of the pairings for the evening.  A price tag of $81 is so out of line. Twice as much as Clos Pepe gets.

Fourth course is a Lamb Ribeye, Charred Eggplant Puree, Fava Bean Fritter and Greek Yogurt.  At this point I am getting stuffed. Had one bite of the lamb which was cooked perfectly and had them save it for me to be boxed with the next course. Otherwise no dessert.  Wine was a 2013 Hall Merlot. Took a few sips and sent the wine away. Priced at $44.

Fifth course was outstanding. A Prime Beef Striploin with Asparagus, Roasted New Potatoes and Mustard Moussaline with aus jus. A 2013 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon was the wine choice. Not impressed. Not much going for it. Pruiced at $44.

Sixth course was Humboldt Fog Cheese, Compressed Beets and Walnuts. Beets are sweet so they really added a nice touch to the cheese.  A 2013 Kathryrn  Hall  Caberent Sauvignon was the selection to pair with this course. Big, overly fruity wine. At $175 . I have had so many other cabs at less money that I enjoyed more.

The food was excellent. The wines mediocre and the pairings were off.  Yes, I did has stuffed sinuses tonight but the others at my table agreed.  Hall wines have a big following but I am not overly impressed especially with the pricing for what you get. But a very enjoyable evening and we did make reservations for the next wine dinner in April at Chianina..