We opened a magnum of Roederer Estate's 1994 "L'Ermitage," a deliciously toasty and elegant California bubbly to pair with the assorted "nibbles" at the start of dinner.


We had some Truffle Mousse pâté, grilled & marinated mushrooms, grilled artichokes and broiled mussels with a parsley & garlic butter.

We then had the starter course:

Soft shell crab with prawns wrapped with basil and Prosciutto di Parma.
The crabs were marinated in milk with chopped tarragon, then drained, dredged in a seasoned flour mixture before being pan fried in butter.


Evert was intrigued by the two 1999 vintage Chardonnays:
Kistler 1999 Carneros from the Hyde Vineyard
&
Peter Michael 1999 Sonoma County Belle Côte


The ever-young Claudia Temby enjoyed giggle and the wines.


We then "got serious" opening some 1994 Napa Valley Cabernets:
Chateau Montelena
&
Dunn "Howell Mountain."
These were both magnificent and beautifully balanced.


The lamb quickly disappeared off the serving platter.  These loin chops were first rubbed with a "Tuscan Salt" mixture featuring coarse salt and rosemary and then further seasoned with Herbes de Provence.


Bob serves the elegant Marjorie Noble-Martin some steamed Haricots Verts to go with the lamb and Toasted Israeli Couscous (enhanced with Fresh and Dried Porcini and Portabella Mushrooms).


Alexia Moore amongst a sea of stemware.


Marjorie brought a Draeger's dessert; a mocha & coconut mousse cake.  We had a sip of the Meyer Family "Tawny Port" with this, a lovely combination of flavors.


As a souvenir of his visit to America, we presented Evert with a garish shirt featuring California Chardonnay and Zinfandel grapes.  He will certainly stand out back 'home' in New Zealand.
We hope he doesn't get "voted off the island" as a result or arrested by the Kiwi Fashion Police.



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