Thread: TN: Rioja at Gotham- great night!

On Mar 9, 8:59*am, DaleW <Dwmi...@aol.com> wrote:
> Gotham Bar and Grill has been running *a series of dinners, with a
> national theme- last night was Spain, and any Spanish wine was free
> corkage. Ramon organized a group for last night, and we had a great
> time. Food quality and service were outstanding, and I wished I had
> gone *to some of the earlier evenings (Jacques had been to the French
> night and said food was extraordinary).
>
> While theme was Spain, it seemed what we decided to bring was mostly
> Rioja (and most of that Lopez de Heredia). I was worried that we
> didn't have enough whites, Jacques jumped into the breach by picking
> up a bottle recommended by Zachys. Ramon emailed the sommelier (Lacey)
> our *list of wines. This is where knowing the actual dish makes a
> difference- I was sceptical when she suggested the squid with some of
> the reds, but it actually worked well.
>
> 1st course : Pan Con Tomate
> pickled onions, idiazabal cheese and serrano ham
> (really nice dish, I expected something like panzanella, this was more
> like bruscetta)
>
> 1989 Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Rioja Reserva *Blanco
> Nice, crisp,. drinking extremely well. Cherries and lemon, light nutty
> notes. B+
>
> 1987 Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Rioja Gran Reserva *Blanco
> I think this will eventually be a great wine, but for now it was in a
> bit of a shell. Big, canteloupe and citrus zest, dense. For now, B.
>
> 1997 Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Rioja Gran Reserva Rosado
> Oranges, cherry, flowers. A distinct onion skin note. Good length. B/B
> +
>
> 2006 Celler Bollidora Flor de Garnaxta
> Ripe, with an oily texture that reminds me of Southern Rhone whites.
> Herby, in a good way. Needs a bit more acid for my tastes. B/B-
>
> 2nd course: Grilled Octopus
> pimientos de padrón, patatas bravas and aioli
> (the char on the octopus made it quite red friendly
>
> 1976 Lopez de Heredia Bosconia Rioja Gran Reserva
> I got some brett when this was first opened, but within my tolerance
> level and it seemed to blow off (or I got acclimated). Sweet red
> cherry fruit, smoke, orange peel. B+/A-
>
> 1981 Lopez de Heredia Bosconia Rioja Gran Reserva
> No brett but otherwise a similar flavor profile (I thought all of the
> LdH reds had a distinct citrus zest note), cherries and a little
> coffee. Earthy, long finish. I loved both of these wines, but gave
> this the edge for a little more depth and concentration. A-/B+
>
> 3rd course
> Olive Oil Braised Cod
> cockles, merguez, bacalao and romesco sauce*
> (lovely, pretty good with red except the cockles begged for some
> white)
>
> 1970 Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Rioja Gran Reserva
> My WOTN, against stiff competetion. Sweet raspberry and red plum
> fruit, smoke, blood oranges. Earth, leather, with a *long finish.
> Saline/mineral notes on finish. Great wine. A/A-
>
> 1973 Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Rioja Gran Reserva
> Between my handwriting and food stains, can't read some of my
> comments. But see aromatic, coffee, and tar. This was judged edged by
> the 70 in my grading for the night. A-
>
> 4th course
> Grilled Lamb Chops
> chickpeas, escarole, lemon confit and salsa verde* *
> (too lemony to showcase the wines, and the tomatillo didn't help, but
> delicious)
>
> 1985 La Rioja Alta 904 Rioja Gran Reserva*
> Solid and tasty, kirsch, cedar, and herbs. B/B+
>
> 1997 La Rioja Alta 904 Rioja Gran Reserva
> This caused some discussion over whether it was modern. My position
> was it is young and from a ripe year, but I'd still call it
> tradtional. Fruity but with some complexity, stood up to the chops. B+
>
> 2001 San Vicente Rioja
> This edges closer to modernity, but not over the top. Ripe red fruits
> and some serious mocha notes, but good tangy acids and nice length. B+/
> B
>
> Arroz con Leche
> marcona almonds and sangria sorbet
>
> Really an excellent night. Not a wine that I wouldn't be happy to
> drink again. Thanks to Ramon for organizing, and it was delightful to
> see Jacques, Ian, Matt, and Ren again.
>
> Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an
> excellent*wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I
> wouldn't*drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I
> offer no*promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of
> consistency.**

Ian provided the totals of our group voting (everyone votes for their
top 3, with 3 votes for 1st, 2 2nd, 1 3rd)
73 Tondonia 13 points
70 Tondonia 10
76 Bosconia 5
87 Tondonia Blanco 4
97 La Rioja Alta 2
81 Bosconia 1
01 San Vicente 1