Moffett Wines at Delius Restaurant

Saturday, March 29, 2018

First wine dinner at Delius, www.deliusrestaurant.com, under the new Chef de Cusine, John McLaughlin.   John owned the At Last Cafe in Long Beach for numerous years before closing it.  John's style of cooking is more "homey" than what we are used to at Delius but it is going to be an interesting year to see how the two styles finally blend together.

Trent Moffett owner of Moffett Family Wines was our host tonight. This was a new label for me. Originally it was Livingston-Moffett Wines but there was an issue with Gallo Wines over the name Livingston. Based on Oregon but they also access wine from Napa. Small production, probably less than a thousand cases total a year.  I found the wines made more in a California style than Oregon.

We started out with a Sweet Corn Bilini with Grilled Jumbo Shrimp.  Blini was nice, shrimp was just 20 seconds overcooked., but good flavor. Paired with a 2016 Rose of Pinot Noir, Yamhill, McMinnville/Carlton,  Oregon. Production of 164 cases. $28. Wine was very light in style and taste.

Second course is a Seared Atlantic Salmon with Roasted Potatoes.  Fish was cooked perfectly, nice crispy skin, potatoes were nice and crusty without being overdone. This was my favorite dish of the evening. A duo of wines was paired. 2016 Pinot Noir, Pommard Clone, Dundee Hills, Oregon. $50.  24 cases. And a 2016 Pinot Noir. Dijon 115 Clone, Dundee Hills, Oregon. 24 cases. $50.  I preferred the Dijon clone. 

Next is a Aged Venison Loin with Sauteed Mushroom Medley. Flavor was nice but I have had better vension at Delius before.  Others really liked it. . Don't know if it was the cut of meat or what. The duo of wines with this course is a 2012 Syrah, (6% Viognier), Oak Knoll, Napa, California. 22 cases. $50.  And a 2012 Syrah, (100%)  Oak Knoll, Napa, California. 22 cases. $50.

Fourth course is a Prime Cut Rib Eye Steak with a Cabernet Reduction.  Paired with a 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mtn/St Helena, Napa, California. 74 cases. $75. Steak was excellent.

Dessert was a Rhubarb-Strawberry Crumble with house made vanilla ice cream. 

All in all a very good dinner with good wines.  Looking forward to the Tercero dinner next month.