STOCKTON INN
WINE TASTING
NOV. 10, 2007

My Dear Fred,  First I want to thank you for the most spectacular and memorable evening we spent together in your Glass Room last Saturday.  It was a warm welcome for two beautiful ladies from the other side of the river. Your enthusiasm and generosity fulfilled the dreams of two “foodies”.  The meal was sumptuous, but the company was beyond delightful under your guidance. I don’t have to tell you the wines were all unbelievable. The Serego Aligheri 2000 (WS-91/100) was smooth and refined. We stayed with the Count D’Aligheri at his Villa La Foresteria in ‘92 and drank Masi wines next door. The Chateau Latour ‘83 (WS-92/100) had matured nicely and was delightful on our palettes. I drank the same bottle in 1994 looking across the road at La Tour (the tower on the bottle) in Pauillac. It was better with you. With Bob Egan joining us, you opened the Chateau Margaux 1988 (WS-94/100) which was the crowning glory of the night. We were all in heaven, but not so drunk that we couldn’t appreciate what we were tasting to the end. This rarely happens to strangers, who have never been to the Stockton Inn before. We were enamored with you and hopefully you with us.


Next week, we’re meeting a dozen girls at Bowman’s for dinner on Friday and Bob Egan at the Piano.  After dinner and if we can still drive, we’re going to do a nightcap at your place for anyone who wants to come along. And I’m bringing a gift from my collection of a 1961 Grand Cru Bordeaux.  Secret! No Promises as to Condition. One of the girls owned her own productive vineyard and could tell us both a few things about wine. She’s coming for sure after I told her our story.
If you want to taste Barberas, Barolos and Barbarescos, I’m the girl to do it with. I know Bruno Giacosa and Rafaella Bologna, Daughter of Giacomo Bologna of Neive, where we had a similar evening at La Contea Restaurant with Jeff Smith, the Frugal Gourmet, Rafaella, who would only drink her own wines and the owner Tonino Verro, who had a few oldies, but goodies. We’ve been there three marvelous times. Can’t wait to have another “ good  and fun time” at the Stockton Inn with you and your staff.
Love, Cerise and Jeanine
P.S. I’m sending the menu from my Pauillac dinner with the wine pairings if you want to make a Gourmet dinner for a few.

                    Courtesy of Relais & Châteaux - Fortieth Anniversary                               
                            Restaurant Château Cordeillan-Bages - Pauillac
                                phone  56 59 24 24  fax 56 59 01 89

                               Dinner Menu Quarantième Anniversaire
                                  Cuisse de Grenouilles in Garlic cream
                                         Entre-Deux-Mers 1989

                                      Angler Fish with Bacon
                                   Reisling Schlossberg 1989

                                  Saint-Pierre with Chanterelles
                               Chateau Vieux Robin Medoc 1989

                                  Duckling with Black Olives
                                     Chateau Latour-1983

                                       Cabecou au Poivre

                              Gelée de Pamplemouse & Vanille
                                          Grapefruit Sorbet
                                        Hugel -Tokay 1989

BOWMAN'S TAVERN