Thursdays in the Cellar: Dominus Dinner Part 1

I must apologize to those who have been awaiting this post. My internet service provider failed about four weeks ago and I had no time before leaving on my trip to France to fix it. Fortunately, everything is now in working order (though I did have to switch companies) and my trip proved fabulous. Look for upcoming posts regarding my time in Burgundy and Champagne in the near future...

This post continues the Thursdays in Cellar series that I hope becomes a regular event as it provides great material for Crasse de Fer and, of course, is quite enjoyable. The Cellar proprietors are Toby, Andrew, and Ted, all recognizable figures in Charlottesville’s burgeoning wine scene. They share space in a building on the mall and the collection includes bottles from each of their respective private collections as well as collectively owned bottles. I admire the concept greatly as it allows them to buy and try wines without the financial burden resting solely on one person. This appears to be especially appropriate as premium wine prices continue to soar (along with the Euro).

On this particular Thursday we made use of a mutual friend’s home as our rendez-vous destination since dinner in the cellar itself did not seem entirely appropriate or feasible. At about 4;30 PM I received a phone call from Stacy who told me that the previously discussed Dominus Dinner would be taking place that evening. I promptly called Andrew in order to secure a reservation (and yes, by that I do mean I invited myself). By 7:00 PM most of us were gathered together under one roof. We numbered seven (how lucky) and included: Toby and his date Cathy, Andrew, Ted and his wife Bonnie, Stacy, and Myself.

Altogether we consumed four courses of food, diligently and thoughtfully prepared by Andrew, and enjoyed (mostly) seven wines. They were:

1. NV Champagne Agrapart et Fils “Les 7 Crus” Blanc de Blancs (with grilled nectarines topped with prosciutto and pecorino).
2. 1994 Régis Cruchet Vouvray Sec (with an arugula salad – I’ve failed to note the accoutrements of this dish, my apologies)
3. 2004 V & F Jouard Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chaumées “Clos de la Truffière” Vieilles Vignes (sadly, alone)
4. 1996 Dominus
5. 1994 Dominus (with its younger sibling in a flight accompanied by grilled steak)
6. 1999 Karlsmuhle Kaseler Nies’chen Riesling Auslese “Geiben” (with a fruit tart)
7. 2003 Baumard Quarts de Chaume

See Part II for tasting notes…