Dinner at Delius with Tercero Wines

Saturday, April 28, 2918

Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines joined Delius restaurant, www.deliusrestaurant.com.  joined us  for a wine pairing dinner tonight.  Larry had been here several times before.  Should be an interesting evening as Delius has a new chef again. This will be either the 5th or 6th chef in the past 12 months.

Started out with a Glazed Oyster Stew, which was excellent. Hope this is an omen. Paired with a 2014 Tercero, Santa Ynez, Grenache Blanc.  Wine was perfect with the soup.

Second course  is a Earth Blend Filed Greens, fancy name for  "greens" with a very good Honey Orange Dressing and Brie Croquettes. I have had the croquettes before but these seemed to be cut small and the brie was not soft and stringy. Not what they were before.  A 2017 Tercero, Santa Barbara Mouvedre Rose was poured. Again a really nice pairing and I really like this 2017 version of the Rose better than some of the other years bottlings.

Up next was a Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Grilled Market Fresh Vegetables. Pork was tender and had good flavor but was so over salted I could feel the grains of salt in my mouth. The grilled carrots had no flavor and were dull and boring. A nice balsamic glaze would have done wonders in taste and appearance. Paired with a 2013 Tercero, Ballard Canyon, Larner Vineyard, Syrah. Another good pairing.

Fourth course is a Roasted Vension Chop, Peppercorn Syrah Reduction and Creamy Wild Mushroom and White Wine Risotto.. The chop was luke warm and cooked "black and blue". Almost raw. Sauce was good. Risotto was a huge disappointment. Very few mushrooms and thick like a blob and under seasoned. I am not a happy camper right now. I took all of this home and ate it the next day for lunch. Everyone at the table meal was just luke warm. No one in the kitchen seems to be on the ball. How this could leave the kitchen like that and how a server cannot feel there is no heat to the plate is beyond me.  Larry had two wines for the dish. A 2009 Larner Syrah and a 2013 Larner Syrah. Interesting to see the differences in the years. 

Dessert at least was up to par. A Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Boubron Berry Sauce and Brulee Fig.

Everyone at the table was saying how disappointed in the new. Don't think this new chef will cut it. He is vegan to begin with and does not drink or know anything about wine. Dave the owner and Larry did the wine pairings.  I sure hope Delius pulls out of whatever is happening with them. I have been patronizing them for 20 years. and this last 18 months have been a real challenge.