Sunday, May 11, 2008

In praise of Iron Horse and...well...me!

I mentioned the "celebratory meal" for the Sweet Partner in Crime's promotion in the last entry, and I assembled it yesterday. We'd been saving a bottle of wine for this occasion: the 2002 "Benchmark" Cabernet Sauvignon from Iron Horse Vineyards. We bought this bottle on our trip to Sonoma in 2005 -- the trip that started me down the path that would eventually lead to the creation of the Vine. Iron Horse's chef, Chris Greenwald, suggested Coffee-rubbed flatiron steaks with shiitake mushrooms. I added some polenta cakes in peperonata sauce as a side. We cracked open the Benchmark, settled in on the patio (was a gorgeous evening), and set to it...


I believe the Sweet Partner was reasonably happy with the pairing...







2 comments:

Kevin Vanderhoff said...

How did you like the Benchmark?

Kevin Vanderhoff
Wine Club Manager
Iron Horse Vineyards

The Naked Vine said...

How'd I like it? It was tremendous.

I didn't want to make tasting notes or do anything else too analytical -- a night of celebration is for feeling, not thinking.

That said -- the bouquet was unearthly and the taste was twice as good. It meshed beautifully with Chris' food recommendation.

Truly one of the two or three best bottles of wine we've ever opened. A perfect complement for the occasion. Thank you.