Vintage Room Wine Pairing Dinner #2 on the Crystal Serenity 2018 World Cruise

Our 2018 World Cruise continues to provide the opportunity to taste and appreciate impressive wines from around the globe. A second extraordinary wine pairing dinner in the Vintage Room on board the award-winning Crystal Serenity, as guests of Rob Mason and Jim Olson, was a night to remember. Here is a review of the delights enjoyed during this second Vintage Room wine pairing dinner on board.Louis Roederer 2009 Cristal Brut; Reims, France: Classic, with its earthiness and yeasty aromas mesmerizing the senses. Intensely flavored, this expressive cuvée is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Sauteed apples, hints of pomegranate, chalky notes and a touch of fresh squeezed lemon weave around a pleasing backdrop of minerality. Rich and complex with an energetic stream of tiny bubbles persisting through the forever finish. Paired with a delectable crab meat filled cannelloni.Etienne Sauzet 2014 Puligny-Montrachet; Cote de Beaune, Burgundy, France: Exquisitely fragranced, this pristinely balanced wine offers up a flintiness that I find captivating. Stone fruits, apple skin, and floral notes interlace with spicy elements, hints of oyster shell, and tangy salinity. Full bodied with moderate tannins that are nicely integrated. The rich texture is offset by crisp acidity, and the wine holds good focus and tension through the aftertaste. A grilled sea scallop with butternut squash puree was a fine pairing.Coup de Foudre 2013 Pinot Noir; Sonoma Coast, California: Red fruits and earthy notes waft from the glass with this well balanced Pinot Noir. Savory notes shine at first sip, melding in harmony with Sweetheart cherries, red currants, caramelized mushrooms, fresh strawberries, Asian spice and black tea accents. Silky in texture with nice purity, and oak nuances add further dimension without overpowering. Paired with a creamy Porcini mushroom risotto.Chateau Pichon Longueville 2007 Comtesse de Lalande; Pauillac, Bordeaux, France: This sophisticated red Bordeaux displays dusty earth characteristics up front. Broadening on the palate are layers of black currant, black cherry, wild blackberry, anise seed, tobacco, and sweet oak spices, and the wine finishes with impressive depth and length. Beautifully integrated tannins and precise balance marrying with the well defined fruit speaks to further cellar worthiness. Paired with Wagyu beef tenderloin.Revana Family Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon; St. Helena, Napa Valley, California: Here is a stylish, intensely structured Cabernet Sauvignon that clearly shouts out Napa Valley. A blend of 93% Cab Sauv, 6% Cab Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, it unveils concentrated flavors of black plums, blackberries, eucalyptus, Bing cherries, dried herbs, a subtle roasted green bell pepper note, and seductive underlying oak. Luxurious on the palate while remaining well balanced and finely tuned, with firm tannins. Approachable now and promises more enjoyment ahead.  This was a second wine paired with the Waygu beef tenderloin, a nice opportunity to appreciate the nuances between old world and new world wines.Chateau Rieussec 2009 Sauternes; Bordeaux, France: Aromas of honey and dried apricots provided a heavenly lead in to this deeply flavored Sauternes, crafted of 90% Semillon, 7% Sauvignon and 3% Muscadelle. On the palate it bursts with sweet guava, papaya, brown sugar sauteed apples, orange marmalade, ripe nectarines and roasted almonds. Rich with a velvety mouthfeel, and the vibrant level of acidity provides good energy and lift. Still in its youth, I envision decades of aging will reap further rewards. Paired with artisanal cheeses.W. & J. Graham’s 30-year Tawny Port; Engaging on the nose with a wildly expressive aroma of spice and freshly made toffee. Mandarin orange, honey-laced figs, crispy crème brulee topping, apricot jam, a dusting of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg spice, caramelized pecans, and notes of butterscotch entwine, entrancing the palate. Well defined and powerful while being graceful at the same time. One sip irresistibly draws you to the next; simply divine! Paired with Crystal’s homemade chocolate pralines.The wines were selected by Crystal’s Head Sommelier Mario da Silva and Rob's and Jim's personal Sommelier Consultants; me & Fred Brown.  Each course, created by Executive Chef Werner Brenner and his culinary team, was remarkable. This superb evening was another fine example of the wonderful programs Crystal offers, and how well the talented culinary and beverage teams execute a first class dining experience on board Crystal’s ocean going vessels, bravo!