Brightest Young Things

words and photos by Dakota Fine

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One of our favorite things to do here at BYT is post pictures of food for you, dear reader. We know you just finished inhaling a microwave cup of ramen at your desk, but we thought in the interest of spicing up your intermittent communiques with your spiteful ex you might like some more ammunition. Just tell him or her what a fine time you had dining with your brand new beau at the "elegantly discreet" Plume (it's the fine dining restaurant at the Jefferson hotel) last week.

I mean, just between us, we went to Plume courtesy of the Center for Wine Origins who treated us to some very, very nice Champagnes and Ports to accompany our golden risotto (no literally, there was a sheet of gold on top of our risotto) and our loin of venison. We sampled among other things a bottle of Warre's vintage 1977 Port and the one and only Krug Grand Cuvee.

As I can only assume is customary, the service was spectacular and the food complimented the wines beautifully thanks at least in part to expert Plume sommelier, Michael Scaffidi who kept us well informed throughout the night.

And, if you really want to live vicariously, the Center for Wine Origins graciously provided us with a list of the wines we tasted throughout the night along with tasting notes, which I will in turn, provide for you here (because I am no expert when it comes to wine... but I do take pretty pictures!).

Veuve Fourny, Vertus, Premier Cru, Rosé Champagne MV
Retail $53.99/bottle
With a slight touch of Chardonnay, the Pinot Noir reveals its subtlety on the nose: red and black fruit, with a great freshness in the mouth. A dazzlingly fresh nose offers a light red fruitiness with plum and strawberry highlights. Very crisp and intensely effervescent flavors possess terrific focus in the deliciously balanced and altogether lovely finish.

Dow’s White Port
Retail $15/bottle
Made from selected white grapes, mostly Malvasia Fina and Gouveio, this Port is mainly aged in wood, which provides a rich golden color and an intense, nutty, aromatic complexity. Some wine that has not been wood-aged is blended in to add freshness and fruit character. Balanced and smooth on the palate, with excellent acidity and a long finish.

Henri Goutorbe, "Special Club," Grand Cru, Aÿ, Champagne 2002
Retail $86.99/bottle
Made from 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from Ay this Champagne shows clarity, focus and vibrancy. Blackberry and kirsch flavors run through this vibrant Champagne, along with whole-grain toast, walnut and honey notes driven by dry, racy acidity, all set on an elegant, creamy mousse texture. Subtle notes of chalk and pastry add complexity to the rich close.

Krug, "Grande Cuvée," Reims, Champagne MV
Retail $174.99/bottle
A smoky, intense wine, with layer upon layer of coffee, roast nut, golden piecrust, ripe apple, honey and spice flavors. The richness is balanced by a focused freshness, perfectly poised like a high diver about to jump, standing above the crowd and showing the interplay of power and control in an elegant package.

Warre's, Vintage Port 1977
Retail $129.99/bottle
Deep garnet color with plum and berry aromas, as well as hints of honey and toffee. Turns to custard. Full-bodied, sweet and fresh, with firm tannins to provide elegance and balance. Rich and highly flavored, starting to open into a superb wine. Deep ruby, with a very perfumed cassis nose, full-bodied, with tons of sweet berry flavors, full, round tannins and a ripe fruit finish. A generous but subtle Port that is ready to drink now, but will age for a long time.

Dow's, "20 Year Tawny," Port
Retail $51.99/bottle
Complex aromas of toffee, roasted nuts, lead pencil, orange peel and caraway seed. Intensely flavored fruit is silky but nicely delineated; offers the fresh flavor of orange peel. Not at all thick, but brisk and vibrant. Finishes clean and long, with hints of smoked nuts and marzipan.

Previously in food porn:

• 2/9: Valentine's Day is Made For Chocolates-A Handy DC/MD/VA Guide To Make The Most of It!
• 12/7: SILF: Sandwich I'd Like to F*ck
• 11/8: Diabetes Fighting WING + CUPCAKE Eating Contest @ DURKL
• 10/11: Taste Test: Station 4
• 10/6: Country Fried Bacon, anyone? Get ready for BACON WEEK @ Restaurant 3
• 10/3: PHOTOS: Pharell Williams Launches QREAM @ Decatur House
• 9/27: Report: DC VegFest
• 9/22: Sampling: La Tomatina Festival @ Jaleo
• 9/21: Sax Appeal: Revisiting For a Meal and More
• 8/29: PHOTOS: Phillips After 5 "Food Truck Fiesta"