Restaurant Week: Domaine Hudson

Four of us dined at Domaine Hudson (or Wilmington) last night to kick off Wilmington's Restaurant week. Since the reservation was later in the evening, I had a chance to look over the prixe fixe menu online and research any wines ahead of time. Sadly, the favored main course, short ribs, was not available when we were seated which left us in a lurch for a second choice. Happy to report that whatever course we chose was well paired with one of the 40+ by the glass wines thanks to our server's recommendations.

My appetizer choice of spiced carrot soup presented a bit of a pairing challenge: red or white. I tried the Domaine Corsin "Vieilles Vignes" Saint-Veran Burgundy 2007 (Chardonnay). This French Chardonnay is a refreshing change from being bonked over the head with oak and vanilla anytime Chardonnay is involved. Balanced flavors, good acidity and restrained use of oak. It seems I need to seek out smaller production French wine if this is to continue. That said, I preferred Brian's light red choice - a fruity Rhone blend (grenache, syrah, carignan, mourvedre) from Chateau Signac ("Cuvee Tradition" Cotes du Rhone Villages 2007").

Main course was the flat iron steak, an easy out when I took too long deciding between entrees. Initially tried the Chateau Viella "Tradition" 2007 from Madiran, France simply because I'd never had a wine with the Tannat grape before. This is a blend of 80% Tannat and 20% Cab Franc. Enjoyed it, though not a do again when I have all the other wines to choose from. I was searching for something with a touch more fruit and fewer tannins. Sampled my way through most of the glass before the steak arrived. I told our server I was open to suggestions and didn't mind being surprised. With that, he disappeared into the kitchen then returned with our next round. My glass was missing its usual number marked on the foot - a true surprise then! It was a big red that took some investigative sips to pin down. By the third sip, I had picked up the characteristic roundness of the Merlot grape but needed him to confirm what it was. Turns out it is the current house favorite, the Merlot that doesn't feel like a Merlot, the Code Noir Merlot 2007 from Rattlesnake Hills, WA.

The Zin Man dining partner raved about his big, bold, juicy red simply described as "the bomb." The Carl Roy “East Side Cuvee” Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 from Napa Valley was tasty and an easy read, but not overly fruited. I was relieved to drink a Cab that wasn't a tannic monster. I felt the use of oak was a little heavy-handed due to the strong vanilla note with a persistent finish. I bet it went well with the flat iron steak!

Finished the meal with chocolate mousse and the Sauternes-like Domaine du Petit Paris Monbazillac 2007. I'm always a sucker for a dessert wine bring back the memories of the once sampled, now unattainable Chateau d'Yquem. This blend of botrytized Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc grapes was an acceptable substitute and worth seeking out for the price (~$15).

(No photos as is dark inside the restaurant. If we can locate some of the bottles locally, there will be an extended review with photos.)