Author Archives: Weston

So I have always loved Champagne, then again really how many people don’t, but I never really drank it a lot, mainly do to the fact that has to do with drinking a 750ml solo in one night. Don’t get me wrong it is doable no problem.  I think we could all agree that Champagne is all about sharing/celebrating/drinking good wine with people you care about.

Well the Last little while I have had more bottles more frequently and some really nice stuff. From Drinking Champagne in New York because its a good price, to planning the trip to New York,and just cuz!  Its nice to open these bottles with other people, especially wine people, appreciate it together.

So mostly what I have been drinking is Grower Champagne, or as @drod_wino  calls it “Farmer Fizz”.  These Farmer Fizz are interesting, delicious, and from what little research I’ve done they seem to be more Organic or even BioDynamic [ Larmandier-Bernier especially my favorite Jose Dhondt NV BdB. Next year when the local wine store has some in stock going to buy a half case because it sells out quickly and I need my Dhondt Fix!

• N.V. Henriot Champagne Brut Souverain- France, Champagne (7/10/2011)Med+ Intensity, Developing
  Apples, Lemon Curd, Spice, Autolytic Yup
  Med+ Body, med+/high acid, med+ to long finish
  Same as nose. A nice Richness on the mouth and it doesnt drop off on the finish like some Champagne canConc: This is a Solid Champagne, been drinking a lot of Champagne lately and this is solidly Delicious. Good value! (90 points)
  
• N.V. Jose Dhondt Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut- France, Champagne, Oger, Champagne (6/30/2011)No Formal Tasting note
  Was opened up at end of a big ole wine bashThis wine sure did come through, great acidity, yeasty breadyness, nice citrus just so nice, 2nd or 3rd bottle of this stuff and its amazing everytime (92 points)
  
• N.V. Pierre Paillard Champagne Brut Rosé- France, Champagne, Bouzy, Champagne (6/22/2011)*Disgorged may 25 2010 7g/l dosage Assemblage of 2005/2006Fine Persistant Bubbles
  med to med+ intensity, developing nose
  Good Yeasty Character, Red fruit strawberry but not bright/youthful, a nice mellow roundness dash of almonds
  T: Dry, Med+ Acid, med intensity, long finish
  Autolytic, Red fruit/strawberryconc: This wine is stunning, from start to finish, it has it all, its together seamless. Pairing with a smoked onion garlic caesar salad with sage butter chicken, AMAZING especially with the garlic (93 points)
  
• N.V. Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Terre de Vertus 1er Cru Brut Nature- France, Champagne, Côte des Blancs, Champagne (5/29/2011)Drank a couple of weeks ago, this wine was picked up from Liquor store which was from a restaurants inventory [they closed and resold back to the liquor store]This definitely had some age on it and it was showing beautifully. A very memorable wine, bouncing with lively acidity, aged notes, very harmonious, creamy, citrusConc: Excellent for a aged NV [if I find my tasting notes I will put them in] (91 points)
  
• 2002 Paul Bara Champagne Grand Cru Spécial Club- France, Champagne, Bouzy, Champagne (5/1/2011)#SparklingSunday (Kitsilano): Pale Gold
  med+ intensity, developing
  Baked Apple, Pear, Cream Cheese
  T: Dry, med+ acid, med body, med+ intensity, med+ finish
  Ripe Ripe Fruit coming through, pears, golden baked apples, Mineral, touch Oxidative?, YeastyConc: the ripeness of the fruit was coming through which I think threw us all off, Felt like it needed more acidity, tho maybe it just needs more bottle time? (89 points)
  
• N.V. Pierre Péters Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée de Reserve- France, Champagne, Le Mesnil Sur Oger, Champagne (1/15/2011)Champagne & Italian Red (Meghans’ Apartment): A: Med+ Intensity, Developing
  Full on Autolytic Going on, Cream Cheese, Brioche yum!T: Dry, high acid, med- body, med + intensity, med+ finish
  Has tropical fruit, Pineapple but a highly acidic pineappleconc: great acid, and yet tropical notes pretty cool. for comparison Jose Dhondt BdB I think is a notch better then this (90 points)
  
• N.V. Jose Dhondt Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut- France, Champagne, Oger, Champagne (1/8/2011)Disgored? M 10 18Med- Lemon
  A: Med+ Intensity, developing
  Brioche Yeasty, Cinnamon Buns, Rich Green Apple, Spice
  T: Dry, high acid, med- body, med intensity, long finish
  Apple, Lemon Ctirus, Sweet Brioche, Mineral, slight OxidationConc: Pretty Darn Good, Amazing Pairing with Sushi gets even more Mineral especially with Saba (92 points)
  

Posted from CellarTracker

This is not a food review of Daniel nor a wine review of the wines, but a general overall experience of Daniel.  Being from Vancouver, Canada we do not have the michelin star guide in our area, so this was my first experience at dining at a three michelin star rated restaurant.  I did not know what to expect you hear lots of stories, from the food to the service, to the prices.

The Food: Was great, I mean everything was seasoned properly, cooked properly, some of the dishes were amazing and blew me away, and a couple were excellent but I felt I could preform the task at home.  The Seabass with the red wine sauce amazing.

The Wine: The list is huge and this is where taking the extra time to go through it is needed for sure.  There are some deals on there for sure you just need to know what to look for and prices seemed fair

The Service/Atmosphere: The service is top notch, from the little side stool for your camera/purse. To the attentive detail of the staff, which to someone not use to it does come across a little “creepy?” but its all for your ease of use.  The biggest thing I did notice was the room, it was large, roomy you never felt cramped in their, our table was huge made for four people [there was three of us] we had some many glasses of wines on the table and their was still room that you didn’t feel cramped.

All in All good food, service, and the price wasn’t crazy yes expensive but not over the top.