Imagine this: a beautiful Tuscan-styled home in Santa Monica, California, bathed in the soft, mellow glow of the setting sun. The architecture is breathtaking – an ode to the classic elegance of Tuscan design, complete with original artwork, tapestries, and elegant arches. This was the stage for an evening of extraordinary wine shared among long-time colleagues and friends.
As we gathered in the home’s cozy library, the room was filled with the warm hum of small talk and laughter. The evening kicked off with a toast to friendship and good times, raised with glasses brimming with the 2014 Bollinger La Grande Annee. This remarkable Champagne, with its delicate bubbles and complex flavor profile, was the perfect prelude to the symphony of flavors that was about to unfold.
While waiting for dinner from Birdie G’s – a popular Santa Monica restaurant known for its delectable fare – our anticipation for the next bottle grew. The 2001 Bricco Rocche Barolo then made its entrance as the second act. With its full-bodied texture and rich, earthy flavors, this Italian beauty was a flirting transition to the meal that laid ahead.
With the arrival of dinner, we uncorked the 1998 Chateau Lynch Bages Grand Cru Classe. This French masterpiece, known for its refined elegance and deep flavor, was the perfect companion. Each sip was a harmonious marriage of the wine’s robust character and the exquisite flavors of the food ranging from Lamb with fenugreek, black lime, beet molasses, dill & saffron to Koji Flatiron Steak, and Lemon Pepper Chicken.
Following our journey to Bordeaux, we progressed to the 1999 Fanti Tenuta San Filippo Brunello Di Montalcino. This Italian star, with its robust body and complex flavor notes, added another layer of richness to the evening’s gastronomic narrative.
As the night evolved with laughter and stories, we ventured towards the two main wines of the evening: the 2013 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2011 Vega Sicilia Unico.
The Scarecrow, a cult star of Napa Valley by nonother than the infamous Celia Welch, was a powerhouse. Bold, unabashed, and unrelenting, it was a testament to the intense, concentrated flavors that the region is known for.
In contrast, the Unico, from Spain’s iconic Vega Sicilia winery, was soft, smooth, and seductive. It was a velvet whisper that perfectly balanced the Scarecrow’s loud declaration.
These two wines, as different as Yin and Yang, perfectly encapsulated the beauty of wine. The way it can be both soft and powerful, subtle and bold, and how, when enjoyed in the company of friends, each bottle tells a story – a story of the land, the people who crafted it, and the moments in which it is shared.
As the evening wound down, the bottles laid bare in front of us helping the memories to linger, a testament to an unforgettable night of friendship, food, and truly extraordinary wines. The real beauty of such evenings is not just in the wines we drink, but in the shared experience they create – a tapestry of moments, laughter, stories, and flavors that, like a good wine, only get better with time.
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