A Burgundy Paulée with the Albany Chapter of the Chevaliers du Tastevin,
at Mila's Restaurant, Schenectady, NY (9/29/2024)
This was a Paulée of the Albany-Capital Region chapter of
La Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin.
Thus, everyone brought their own wines, nominally one bottle per person.
The host for this dinner was Jared Shulman.
Since this was a Paulée, there were no organized flights.
I've grouped the wines in relation to the food courses.
As far as I know, all the wines were pop and pour.
Click on any image with a border for a higher resolution version of that image,
which may also contain additional image.
Mila's Restaurant is in a
former bank building in downtown Schenectady.
I got my first mortgage from the one in the middle.
Owners Devin & Kaytrin Ziemann in the bar area after a massive renovation.
The bar and main dining room in the large front room.
The above photos taken from the Internet, mostly from Mila's website.
Our dinner was in a large private room in the back where
they still have the old safe with the safe deposit boxes:
The beautiful original mosaic floor was preserved:
The food here is inventive and truly exception.
The cuisine is Mediterranean-inspired, but
passed through the brilliant hands and mind
of Owner & Head Chef Devin Ziemann (center).
Reception
2016 Joseph Drouhin Pouilly-Vinzelles.
Telmont Réserve Brut.
The Drouhin was quite good, but I didn't take a tasting note.
Tirokroketes: Greek-Style Cheese Croquettes
with Truffle Aioli and Lemon Thyme Honey.
Flat Breads.
Oyster Escabech on Foccacia Toast Saffron Aioli and Pickled Shallots.
There were other delicious apps that I did not get photos of:
Flash Fried Oysters on Potato Pave with Taramasalata and Trout Roe.
A Lamb Kefta with Feta and Sumac Onions.
A Truffle Mushroom and Spinach.
Watermelon and Feta Skewers with Pistachio Dukah Olive Oil and Honey.
A few photos of people at the Reception.
Dinner
Jared introduces his first official dinner as Grand Sénéchal:
The Whites
Course One
Scallop Crudo with Orange, Pomegranate, Toasted Coriander, Urfa Pepper, Mint,
Citrus Ginger Vinaigrette.
Exquisite dish with great fresh scallops.
2005 Bruno Colin Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Maltroie -
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru
Muted nose of citrus and melon. Long and complex with loads of minerals.
Quite youthful still. Impressive! (93 points)
Course Two
Octopus with Lemon Potato, Caper Berries, Romesco, Squid Ink Aioli,
Pickled Pepper, Oregano.
The best octopus I've ever had.
2014 Domaine Bachelet-Monnot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières -
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru
Fresh earth and citrus nose. Long and tasty but young. Strong citrus flavors.
Could use another 5 years, but wow should drink well for at least 10 after that.
(93–95 points)
Course Three
Lamb Chop with Japanese Eggplant, Israeli Cous-Cous, Pistachio Dukkha,
Sherry Molasses, Tzatziki.
The Japanese Eggplant with Israeli Cous-Cous on top is an experience. Such great flavor.
1969 Louis Jadot Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru -
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru
Fully mature. Sour cherry in the nose and mouth. Lots of mulch and barnyard.
Still good, but drink up. (92 points)
1990 Domaine du Château de Meursault Beaune 1er Cru Cent-Vignes -
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru
This was gorgeous. Big rich nose of dried red fruits. Thick, complex with mature tannins.
Quite Barolo-esque. Others thought it might be corked, but I did not detect that at all.
(94 points)
1993 Domaine Philippe Naddef Mazis-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes -
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru
From magnum. Gorgeous nose of red and black fruit. Expansive, complex, big and rich
black fruit with a hint of mint. Very long. My WOTN. (95 points)
Course Four
Beef Short Rib with Zaatar Potato Pave, Spiced Carrot, Labneh, Turkish Coffee Braising Jus.
So rich and so good. Incredible short rib and the potato thingy is delicious!
2012 Comte Armand Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux -
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard 1er Cru
From magnum. Rich complex black fruit in the nose and mouth.
A consistently pleasurable wine. (93 points)
1976 Remoissenet Père et Fils Clos Vougeot -
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
[Double-decanted around 4pm. Tasted around 8pm.] Cork saturated. A big mess under the capsule.
Did not smell good on decanting. By 8pm it blossomed into a beautiful wine.
Muted nose of black fruits and spice. Fully mature but showing beautifully with lots of
lovely red fruit and forest floor. (94 points)
1999 Louis Jadot Corton-Pougets Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot -
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru
Spicy red fruit nose. Balanced and elegant dried cherries. Fully mature, but
should drink well for another 10 years. Long finish. (93 points)
2001 Faiveley Mazis-Chambertin -
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru
The hits just keep coming! Big black cherry nose. Lovely, complex, will continue to
improve for years to come. Soft tannins with dried cherries on a long finish. (94 points)
The first photo above is Kat without her head. The second is her photo.
The other three photos above are from the 1976 Remoissenet Clos Vougeot.
Jared says Remoissenet would put some vineyard soil on the cork before the capsule.
