First night in CA, Betsy made puttanesca, we were too tired to worry about wine. Wednesday we drove down to the Inn at Saratoga. Walked around Saratoga a while, then back to room. Rsin started, and quite the windy deluge by time we met friends in lobby to go to dinner. A quick but dramatic walk to the Plumed Horse for first installment of Mark's 60th celebration (poor Betsy had open-toed shoes)

1996 Dom Perignon Rose
Quite tasty, rich, strawberries and brioche, Long finish, gets minerally. Later wityh the scallops I have some of Betsy's, it's developed some blood orange and citrus zest notes. A-/B+

An amuse of smoked trout cannoli

2009 Pavillon Blanc du Ch. Margaux
Citrus, a little grass, a little honey. Not my fave. B-

First course of kampachi with cauliflower and romanesco sauce

2008 Mt Eden Chardonnay Reserve
Lovely, minerally, dare I say "Chablid-like" Really tasty. B+/A-

Next up with the most controversial dish, parmesan souffle with spanner crab and uni. Some hated, some loved, I was closer to latter though I thought the souflle a bit heavy (Betsy thought slightly undercooked)'

1989 Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Vendange Tardive
Stuart thought this showed real RS - I didn't.to me just softened edges. Mineral, ginger, petrol, peach. A-/B+

1983 JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese
Honey, apricot (botrytis?), orange blossom. Faded quicker than I would have expected, but tasty, B/B+

Scallops with carrots and tangerine oil

1958 Inglenook F30 Cabernet Sauvignon
Mint, red fruits, cedar. Showing age but enjoyable. Andy said he'd had better showings. B

1956 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon
Still fruit, but limp structure, some caramel. B-C+

1970 Conn Creek Cabernet Sauvignon? (trouble reading my scribble)
Good fruit, iodine, cedar, herb. A little short or this would be outstanding B

Duck breast with farro and passion fruit

1977 Martin Ray Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
plum ,leather, cedar, quite a bit of VA B

1980 Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Very green, herby, more CF than CS, a bit thin B-

1985 Ridge Montebello
Lovely, complete, ripe and complex. A-

1955 Vallana Spanna
shot', not poured

1956 Monte Real Rioja (didn't note level)
Birthyear wine for Mark. Red fruit, spice, a little hint of dill, mature and lovely midweight. B+/A-

1967 Minuto Barbaresco
corked!

Beef tenderloin with a bordelaise sauce

1979 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon
Black fruits, a little bell pepper, cedar. Mediumbodied, good finish. B/B+

1986 Rauzan Segla
Nice showing. Ripe dark fruits, tangy acids, cigarbox. A-

1978 Heitz Marthas's Cabernet Sauvignon
I enjoyed this a lot, but not as much as other recent bottle from same lot (travel?). Black cherry, spice, herbs. Nice length, plenty of structure left. A-/B+

Cheese was Cypress Grove truffle Tremor

John had brought a 2013 Bordeaux blend from his new venture which I enjoyed, but neglected to write down any details.

salted caramel mousse
1970 Climens
Plenty of life left. Creme brulee, apricot, honey. A-/B+


Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.