Spanish Wine Dinner, May 30th

1-course: Iberica Ham, Summer Melon, Sea Salt, Spanish Olive served with Mercat Brut Rose Cava Catalonia Spain Wine & Spirits 90 Rating A pale salmon-pink rosé, this wine has rich strawberry flavors that sustain a brisk apple-and-mineral freshness. The red fruit makes it a versatile tapas wine, bridging tortilla and jamón Iberico.

2-Course: Spanish Ajo Blanco “White Gazpacho”, Almond, Grape, Sherry served with Pago del Vicario 2023 Blanco de Tempranillo Vino de Pago La Mancha Spain Decanter Magazine 95 Rating Pale straw yellow with greenish reflections. Aromas of ripe pear and ripe citrus zest mingle with slight floral notes and touches of tropical fruit, such as green mango. Bold flavor on the palate, full of green apple, white peach, dried herbs, green olive and bitter almond with a captivating minerality that powers the long, lively finish.

3-Course: Duck Empanadas, Cherry Paprika Chutney, Orange Peel served with: Dominio de Pingus 2022 “Psi”Ribera del Duero Spain Vinous 93 Rating The 2022 PSI hails from the Sorian side of Ribera del Duero. Ripe plum, cherry and herbal aromas mingle with a balsamic touch, soft cedar and a hint of prune. The palate is juicy and creamy in texture, defined by firm, fine-grained tannins and moderate structure. Concentration comes from the old vines, while lively acidity balances the fine tannins. A solid example of Ribera Soriana.

4-Course: Chorizo Stuffed Dates, Honey Glazed Amonds, Fine Herbs served with: Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia 2021 Macan Clasico Rioja Spain Jeb Dunnuck 97 Rating From the sister property of Vega Sicilia in Rioja, a partnership between the Alvarez and Rothschild families, the 2021 Macan Clasico has unrelenting freshness and is gorgeously aromatic. The vintage conditions were perfect and the wines able to achieve exceptional quality. Here, the Tempranillo is joined by 3% Garnacha, which provides additional brightness to juicy layers of red berry, cigar, and dried herb, with a foundation of supple tannins. Medium-bodied, the oak is well-integrated, interweaving the lilting spice and toast notes from a combination of French and American barrels that aged the wine for 14-16 months. With a long, silky, and finessed finish, it’s drinking perfectly now. Continue to enjoy over the next 10-15 years.

5-Course: Sous Vide Duck Breast, Parsnip Puree, Blackberry Star Anise Jus served with: Muga Prado Enea 2014 Grand Reserva Rioja Spain James Suckling 97 Rating Really beautiful aromas of crushed blackberry, brambleberry, hazelnut, walnut and light coffee, following through to a full yet so reserved and polished body with fine, creamy-textured tannins. Fresh and exquisite finish. This is a much more refined and harmonic rendition of their classic wine. Three years in French oak from their own production. Very enjoyable now, but this will improve with age for a long time.

6-Course: Coffee Chili Braised Short Ribs, Manchego Risotto, Braised Fig served with: Bodegas El Nido 2023 Clio Jumilla Spain Vinous 93 Rating The 2023 Clio is composed of 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from Jumilla. It was aged for 23 months in French and American oak barrels. Recently bottled, the oak is at the forefront but will integrate. The wine opens with plum, soft herbal notes and blackberry. Intense with fruit complexity, the palate is creamy, flavorful and delicate in tannins, finishing with a touch of oak that will meld with time.