West Vancouver’s Feast Hosts Wagner Wines
The Wagner Family has been farming in Napa Valley since 1906 when Carl Wagner arrived from Alsace. The family began building their wine empire and in 1972 Caymus was established and was named winery of the year in a few decades after, in 1994, by Wine Spectator Magazine. In my earlier wine discovering years I enjoyed many a glass of Conundrum, and as my palate developed I explored the more powerful reds that the family is known for.
We had the opportunity to revisit the wines at one of West Vancouver’s Feast Restaurant wine dinners and the Conundrum White 25th Anniversary version was served, reminding me of how much I love this mulit-variety wine. Feast replaced Dundarave Fish House, fancying up the room and the menu in the process. Katherine McEchanie and crew were charming tablemates!
As I was at the mercy of BC Transit I almost missed the first dish, a pork rillette on fried bean tempura. Thanks to FoodGressing for loaning me some pictures as the room was rather dark and I was relying on my Samsung Note 5 as opposed to my new camera since I keep forgetting the damn memory card!
Next up there was king crab with an apple foam, tobiko, ginger chips, cucumber and pickled celery. The super fresh crab was the perfect companion to the Mer Soleil Silver Chard, a crisp white with tropical notes, and great acidity.
Duck Confit was served along with the 2014 Emmolo Merlot, a merlot that might convince Merlot-haters to rethink their position. This merlot has ripe berry aromas and a medium body with great structure and balance, ending smoothly. Great with the duck which was on point with it’s crispy skin yielding to tender meat. I must mention the truffle polenta, excellently executed with just a hint of truffle.
Wine agent Peter Lindenlaub with Feast Manager Charlotte and the always accomodating Tim!
We don’t see enough wild game on menus, and it was a welcome change to have elk as opposed to the obvious follow up of lamb or beef. They’d encursted a loin in mushroom and ash coating and served it with jus and fingerling potatoes. Cabernet Sauvignon was big and bold, standing up to the dish with entense dark fruit and descent tannins.
For dessert an espresso chocolate pot de creme came with a citrus whip, honey crumble. Perfect ending to an excellent meal.
Next after Feast Wine Dinner with Wagner Wines? Feast will host the Naramata Bench’s Poplar Grove Winery on February 8th, and if I can get a ride, I’ll be there. Tickets and more information: http://ow.ly/Xw4Vs
