The Restaurant Guys

Wine Dinner with George Hendry

 

George Hendry

Wine Dinner

June 9, 2017

 

George Hendry is one of the smartest men making wine anywhere. Not just because he is a nuclear physicist, not just because he's farmed the Hendry Ranch since before the Korean War, not just because he has managed his vineyards and wines as both an artist and a scientist, but because for 20 years, the wines have been extraordinary.  
 

This year, we were unable to get George in March like we usually do. We're touched that he's making a special trip out East just to meet you! Be here onJune 9!

It's an honor and a privilege to host him and his wines once more.  On Tuesday, June 9th, George will be here to host a dinner and tasting. The menu is below and the wines for the tasting will be settled by next week.  This dinner is always extremely well-attended, so please reserve early.
 

 Hors d'Oeuvres

Rose 2016, Albarino 2016, Pinot Gris 2016
Unoaked Chardonnay 2015, Cabernet Sauvignon 2013,

Merlot 'Block 13' 2013, Pinot Noir 2013, Cabernet Sauvignon, 'HRW' 2014,
Red Meritage Blend 2013
 
Crawfish Tart with Melted Leeks and Butter
Chardonnay, 'Barrel Fermented' 2014
 
Fettuccine with Wild Boar Carbonara
Primitivo 'Block 24' 2014

Deconstructed Beef Wellington

Cabernet Franc 2010

Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
 

Cheeses with Truffle Honey
Zinfandel, 'Block 28' 2014
Zinfandel, 'Block 7 & 22' 2014

 

$149 per person

Plus tax and service

Wine Dinner with Byron Kosuge

Wine Dinner with Byron Kosuge

April 27 at 7 PM

$119

 

We first encountered Byron Kosuge's pinot noir a few years back. We were entranced then, and we've been entranced by every vintage since! 

 

Byron grew up in Davis, California. The first fifteen years of his wine making career were spent making his mark, as winemaker at Saintsbury in Carneros. He left Saintsbury in 2001 and has spent the last 16 years making extraordinary Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both under his own label and as a consultant for others.

 

"I could never be a “rock star” winemaker. I’m most comfortable knocking around in the vineyard or the cellar, trying to improve my craft, and turning out modest amounts of interesting, expressive, and, hopefully, memorable wine. The kind of wine I want to drink myself." 

 

We disagree. Sorry Byron, you're a Rock Star!

 

Come hear the music.  Byron Kosuge will be at Stage Left Thursday, April 27 at 7pm, to host a dinner with his wines and our great food.  If you love Pinot Noir, you should really be here.

 

 

Hors d’Oeuvres

Americano Cocktails

 

 

Crabcakes (All Crab, Very Little Cake) Remoulade

Chardonnay 'Sonoma Coast' 2014

 

 

House Made Pork Roll, Egg and Cheese

Pinot Noir 'Sonoma Coast' 2014

Pinot Noir 'The Shop' 2013

 

 

Lamb Chop with Lamb Shanks and Cannellini Beans & Mint

Pinot Noir 'Hirsch Vineyard' 2014

A Library Selection Pinot Noir From Byron's Cellar (Secret)

 

 

Frozen Peanut Butter Pie with Valrhona Chocolate

Coffee

 

 

 

The Wine Elves of New Brunswick!

Those are magnums of vintage Belgian beer in Mark's hands. Of course I'm holding Champagne. These and over 700 more labels of carefully selected adult beverage are available to you in our wine shop, which is open right now! Wine, Whisky, Irish Cream, Cheese, Truffles...!

The Wine Shop is Open...Like, Right Now!

It's simply the best retail wine shop in NJ and it's open only a few days a year. In addition to wine, we have some of our special cheeses, the extraordinary Stage Left coffee, great olive oil, Blenheim's ginger ale and much more. Stop in for a complimentary glass of house-made eggnog and to sample some cheese, wine, olive oil...

Members of our email list: Purchase a case of wine at the wine shop in-person during regular wine shop hours receive a $50 gift certificate good towards dinner in Stage Left or Catherine Lombardi. (Gift certificates are valid beginning January 2 and valid for one year. Gift certificate will not combine with any other gift certificate, discount or special promotion. Not good for package wine or any wine dinner or other special event.)

Merry Christmas / Happy New Year.

Paul Hobbs Returns

In 1992, we didn't realize that our new friend, Paul Hobbs, would go on to become one of the most important winemakers in the world, but he did.

If you don't know Paul, you should. His wines from California and Argentina and now New York and France are extraordinary. Paul is one of the most sought-after winemakers on three continents. He's one of the smartest guys in the business and we are proud to say that we have been supporters and friends since he and we started our businesses at roughly the same time. We were the first restaurant on the East Coast to serve Paul's wine and we remain the only venue where Paul hosts a dinner every year. This is the greatest single tasting opportunity of Hobbs wines each year. Part of the reason is that it is supplemented by our own deep collection of Hobbs wine.

January marks the beginning of our 25th year at Stage Left and it's only fitting that our first dinner should be our 26th Paul Hobbs Dinner (we hosted 2 one year).

Friday, January 27th is the date and if you would care to join us, please reserve a spot. This event will sell out.

This Year There Are Two Ways To Participate:

• The Pre-Dinner Tasting - $100, or
• The Tasting-and-Dinner - $325

  Hors d’Oeuvres
  Tasting at George Street Playhouse

  Dinner Menu

  Vanilla and Black Pepper Open Faced Ravioli
  with Burnt Orange and Lobster
  Chardonnay 'Ellen Lane Estate' 2013; Paul Hobbs; Russian River
  Chardonnay 'Marchiori Vineyard' 2015; Bramare; Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza

  Lamb
  Stuffed with Jamon Iberico Braised Mushrooms, Grilled Chestnuts
  Malbec 2014; Bramare; Valle de Uco
  Malbec 'Rebon Vineyard' 2013; Bramare; Valle de Uco, Mendoza

  Jamon Iberico de Bellota and Humboldt Fog Grilled Cheese
  Syrah 'Kick Ranch Vineyard' 2013; Paul Hobbs; Sonoma

  50-Day Dry-Aged Prime Angus Tomahawk Steak, Marrow Spread
  Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Paul Hobbs, Napa
  Cabernet Sauvignon 'Marchiori Vineyard' 2012; Bramare; Mendoza
  Volturno 2012; Vina Cobos; Mendoza (2 oz)

  Lemon Crème and Raspberry
  with Crumbled Graham and Powdered Raspberry

  [email protected] or 732-828-4444
  Tasting: 5:30 - 6:45
  Dinner 7 PM

Priorat: Modern Wines of Spain

Dinner with Valenti Llagostera of Mas Doix
Thursday, November 10

We're excited to announce a winemaker dinner we've been trying to put in place for over a year. I met Valenti a couple of years back at a professional tasting in New York. His wines just blew me away: Four exhilarating bottles from his Priorat estate, one more profound than the next. Wow. I asked him to come host a dinner on the spot. He is not in the country too often but finally, we've got him committed to a date. I hope you can join us.

Grape vines and olive trees grow where nothing else will. While some of the world's wine regions are quite lush, some of the world's most compelling wines come from hardscrabble places that, in winter, more resemble the moon or some alien landscape. Cote Rotie is one such place. Priorat is another. Priorat is the region in Spain where the innovative and the historic come together with thrilling results.

Cellar Mas Doix is an exciting young winery created by the Doix & Llagostera family in 1998; but it is the modern manifestation of a tradition that began in 1850. It was two generations back when Juan Extrems Doix took gold medals for these vineyards in Paris (1878) and Barcelona (1888). His grandson Juan Doix and Valenti Llagostera are tending those vineyards today, with similarly spectacular results.

The vineyards are planted to Cariñena (114 years old), Garnacha (80 years old), Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot! High altitude, the rugged land and extreme slope of the hillside imbue the grapes with a power that will bring a smile to lovers of New World Cabernet and a brooding earthiness that will delight European traditionalists. They are shockingly good.

We're delighted that Valenti Llagostera of Mas Doix will be here to present his wines at dinner on Thursday, November 10. These are big, bold and beautiful wines, we've created a great dinner to match and there is no better ambassador of the region than Valenti. I hope you can join us.

Hors d'Oeuvres
Bubbles

Chestnut Soup
Grilled Lion's Main Mushrooms
Priorat Les Crestes 2015

Roasted Duck Breast
Braised Winter Vegetables
Priorat Salanques 2013
Priorat Salanques 2008 (from magnum)

Venison Strip Loin with Apples and Foie Gras
or
Beef Strip Steak
Priorat Costers de Vinyes Velles 2012 (from magnum)
Priorat "Cuvee 1902" 2012

Apple and Bourbon-Nectarine Cobbler
With Pecan Streusel

$179 per person
[email protected]
732-828-4444

Autumn Walk-Around Wine Tasting: Saturday, October 29, 2:30 - 5PM

Come Meet Paddy Saturday Afternoon, October 29. Concurrently, we will hold our Autumn Walk-Around Wine Tasting. We'll also be presenting fifteen exciting new wines for your sampling pleasure.

The cost of the Reception and Wine Tasting is $25. Which is Applicable to the purchase of your first case of wine.

Reservations are strongly suggested.
[email protected]
or 732-828-4444

Walk-Around Wine Tasting: This Saturday, May 21

Our walk around tasting is this Saturday, May 21. I am personally really excited about the line up of new wines we have in store for you. The cost is $25 and that goes toward the purchase of a case of wine if you like.

Here is the list of wines with which we're going to blow your doors off on Saturday.

1. Owen Roe Chardonnay ‘Mirth’ 2014 Washington
2. Pertimali - Livio Sassetti Chardonnay 'Vel' 2012 Tuscany
3. Leth Gruner Veltliner 'Scheiben Reserve' 2006 Wagram
4. Szepsy Furmint 2012 Tokaji
5. Owen Roe Pinot Gris “Crawford-Beck’ 2014 Washington
6. Selbach-Oster Riesling Spatlese 'Zeltinger Schlossberg' 2012 Mosel
7. Selbach-Oster Riesling Spatlese 'Wehlener Sonnenuhr - One Star" 2005 Mosel
8. Domaine Boisson Cotes du Rhone 2013 Rhone
9. Paul Jaboulet Aine Cornas "Domaine de Saint-Pierre" 2012 Rhone
10. Schiavenza Dolcetto d’Alba 2014 Piedmont
11. Schiavenza Barolo del Commune di Serralunga 2011 Piedmont
12. Farnese Edizione Cinque Autoctoni 2012 Puglia & Abruzzo
13. Il Borghetto Montigiano 'Sangiovese' 2011; Il Borghetto; Tuscany, Italy 2011 Tuscany
14. Mas Doix Priorato "Les Crestes" 2014 Priorat
15. Mas Doix Priorato "Salanques" 2012 Priorat
16. Gaia Estate Agiorgitiko 2012 Peloponnesus
17. Sean Thackrey Pleiades XXIV 'Old Vines' NV NV Sonoma
18. Owen Roe Abbott’s Table Red 2014 Washington
19. Owen Roe Syrah Ex Umbris 2013 Washington
20. Lompoc Pinot Noir ‘Sta Rita Hills’ 2013 Santa Barbara
21. Calder Carignane "Old Vine Colombini Vineyard" 2014 Mendocino
22. Johnson Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Sonoma
23. Monticello Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 'Jefferson Cuvee' 2013 Napa
24. Andrew Will Cabernet Franc 2014 Columbia Valley
25. Andrew Will Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Columbia Valley
26. Owen Roe Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Red Willow’ 2012 Washington

Saturday, May 21 - 3-5 PM - Wine Tasting $25

Let us know if you plan to attend 732-828-4444 or [email protected]

A Cult Winemaker of The Highest Order

Maggie Harrison: Some of The Best Wines in California

I would like to introduce you to an extraordinary winemaker. Maggie Harrison is making tiny quantities of some of the most exciting wines in America. They're hard to get. They're not cheap. They're worth every penny and more.

In the past, we've introduced you to winemakers like Paul Hobbs and George Hendry. When each of those quite famous winemakers first did a dinner in NJ, it was here; and few of our guests knew their names. This is another one of those moments.

Maggie just doesn't do dinners and her wines are very hard to come-by. We've been working on making this happen, since we had the great good fortune to meet her last year. It's late notice, but we prevailed upon her to come host a dinner on Monday, April 11. It will be an intimate and exclusive affair due to the late notice (and very little wine available).

Maggie was assistant winemaker to Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non for eight years before striking out on her own. She and her husband MIchael have made quite a name for themselves with the purchase of their own Antica Terra Pinot Noir in The Dundee Hills of Oregon.

The secret sauce however is the teeny tiny quantities of Lillian wine they produce from some of the best vineyards in California. Mark and I are beside ourselves with admiration for these wines. Lillian Roussanne is clearly the best Roussanne I have had from outside Hermitage in France, where it goes to make the rare, age-worthy and long-lived Hermitage Blanc. It is as good as a great white Hermitage. I know of no other white wine that can lay that claim.

Her Syrah and Reserve Syrah are equally mind-bending. They are at once lush and rich and soft, while being meaty and spicy with abundant soft tannin and great acidity. The finish on these wines goes on for a long long time. They are astounding. The Syrah is from the White Hawk Vineyard (56%), the Bien Nacido Vineyard (27%) in the Santa Maria Valley and Stolpman Vineyard (17%) in the Santa Ynez Valley.

I'll give you Lillian Cabernet Sauvignon in Maggie's own words: "sourced from the True Vineyard, which lies on a bench a few hundred feet below the summit of Howell Mountain. It was planted by Frank Dotzler in the late-90’s. The site is nine acres and was literally carved out of volcanic bedrock. It presents an entirely different feeling than the endless rows of vines that carpet the valley floor and lower hillsides... We harvested into tiny baskets and hauled the fruit up to the winery in a refrigerated truck. After sorting the fruit twice by hand and filling headless barriques with the whole, unbroken berries, I stood with Nate next to the fermenters. The fruit was so beautiful; the flavors so precise. It was completely unlike what we had been told to expect. No dehydration, no amelioration... Rich with violets, truffle and tobacco, the wine maintains a levity and energy that surprise us again and again. This wine found great harmony; with cascading aromatics and wild complexity, in a multi-vintage blend. Racked only twice, raised (like all of our wines) with minimal sulfite additions and bottled unfined and unfiltered.”

These wines are rare and they are not inexpensive, ranging from just under $100 per bottle to over $200 per bottle. They are worth every penny. We're going to offer this dinner at $199. That's actually less than you might pay retail for one bottle. It's just important for us to show these wines with dinner and for you to meet Maggie and for Maggie to meet you. This is precisely the kind of wine we love to discover and to represent and deliver to our guests. The menu is awesome.

[email protected] or 732-828-4444

Monday, April 11
Hors d'Oeuvres at 6:30
Dinner at 7 PM

Hors d’Oeuvres
Syrah 2012

Silverfin with Mushroom Dumplings, Mirin, Soy, Potato and Pepino
Roussanne 2012

Wild Boar with Trumpet Royal Mushrooms, Roasted Cippolini Onions and Polenta
Gold Series Syrah No. 1 2011
Gold Series Syrah No. 2 2011

Cabernet Sauvignon “Howell Mountain”
Selected Soft Cheeses

Pumpkinseed Malted Milk Shake
With Cookies and Pumpkinseed Brickle

We will also be sampling the next vintage of many of these wines.

Feel free to email me directly if you have any questions about this winery. It's a top pick

George Hendry Rides Again

Wednesday, March 9. Tasting at 6:30. Dinner at 7:15
$139 per person

George Hendry is one of the smartest men making wine anywhere. I'm not saying that just because he is a nuclear physicist. I'm not saying it because he's lived on and farmed The Hendry Ranch his entire life. I'm not saying it because for that entire time, he has approached the management of his vineyards and wines as both an artist and a scientist. My comment is born of personal experience in his phenomenal wines year after year.

I've learned more about wine by just drinking Hendry and paying attention for the last 20 years than in any single book I've read. George is not a world-wide consultant. He's been farming The Hendry Ranch since before The Korean War. The man has forgotten more about growing wine in the Napa Valley than most flying wine makers will ever know.

It's an honor and a privilige to host him and his wines once more. On Wednesday, March 9th, George will be here to host a dinner. The menu is below and the wines for the tasting will be settled by next week. This dinner is always extremely well-attended, so please reserve early.

Our email server is being upgraded today, so your safest bet is to call 732-828-4444 for a reservation.

Hors d’Oeuvres
Albariño 2014
Pinot Gris 2014
Chardonnay, 'Un-oaked' 2014
Pinot Noir 2013
Merlot, 'Block 13' 2013
Petit Verdot, 'Block 15' 2011/2011
Primitivo, 'Block 24' 2011
Red Wine, Meritage Blend 2011

Invasive Asian Carp Cake with Ginger Romseco
Chardonnay, 'Barrel Fermented' 2012

Tenderloin of Tuna with Bacon and Cipollini Onions
Pinot Noir, Hendry Vineyards 2012

Duck Terrine with Foie Gras Bread
Zinfandel, 'Block 28' 2012
Zinfandel, 'Block 7 & 22' 2012

Lamb Shanks with Minted Ricotta Gnocchi
Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Suzie-Q Inspired Devil’s Food Cake

Wednesday, February 10: Dinner with Diego Cusumano

When Mark and I started in this business, almost 30 years ago now, we did not look for fine wine from Sicily. If it existed, it certainly was not available in the U.S. market. Now, it's a very exciting wine region indeed. The Cusumano winery was established in 2001, when brothers Alberto and Diego, took over the management of the company from their father, Francesco. The Cusumanos had sold grapes but had not made their own wine. With their intimate knowledge of the Sicilian terrain and the help of their very talented winemaker consultant Mario Ronco, the Cusumano brothers today own over 400 hectares (nearly 1,000 acres) of vineyards. What's striking is that they hold this vineyard across 7 sites throughout Sicily.

With one foot in the present and another in the past, Alberto and Diego Cusumano have created a beautiful modern winery (two actually) with a respect to Sicily's colorful history and terroir. They farm in the western part of Sicily and source grapes from various parts of the island. They work primarily with the traditional grapes of Sicily (Insolia, Nero D'avola, Grillo...) in the context of the different and dramatic terroir of various parts of this wildly diverse volcanic island. It's exciting to see the diverse range of their wines from their various holdings.

Today, Cusumano grapes come from these vineyards:

• Ficuzza: 189 hectares, in Piana degli Albanesi in the province of Palermo
• Presti e Pegni: 70 hectares, on the hills of Monreale
• San Giacomo: 140 hectares, in Butera in the province of Caltanissetta
• Milioto: 3 hectares, in Partinico in the procince of Palermo
• Monte Pietroso: 30 hectares, in the territory of Monreale
• Marchesa: 50 hectares in the territory of Monreale
• Buonivini: 20 hectares, in the territory of Pachino

On Wednesday, February 10th, Diego Cusumano will be here and we'll be pouring his wines at dinner. These wines represent an incredible value and we want to bring them to you at an extrememly affordable price. Dinner with wine will be $99 per person plus tax and service.

Pre-Dinner Wine Tasting
6:30-7:15 PM

Etna Bianco “Alta Mora” 2014
Angimbe 2012 (Insola, Chardonnay)
Jale Chardonnay 2011
Etna Rosso “Alta Mora” 2013
Benuara 2013 (Nero di Avola, Syrah)

Cubia Insola 2011

Dinner
7:15 PM

A Selection of Crudo
Grillo “Shamaris” 2013

Venison Pate American, Sous Vide Egg, Parmgianno-Reggiano Crisp, Bone Marrow Brioche
aka: Venison Egg and Cheese Sandwich
Sagana 2011
Nero di Avola

Roasted Duck Breast with Blackberry Ginger
Noa 2012
Nero di Avola, Cabernet, Merlot

Biscotti
Moscato dello Zucco 2009

Cashew Financier
With Rosemary and Honey Ice Cream

(Menu Substitutions Available with Advance Notice)

Coffee

$99 per person
plus tax and service

[email protected] or 732-828-4444