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Local Event Premier Host
Cost: $89.50 + tax and gratuity
For the seventh year in a row, Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a 6-course winemaker dinner featuring Justin Winery. As an exceptionally rare treat, Justin Winery founder and namesake, Justin Baldwin, will be here in person to host this event on Sunday. We’re serving an over-the-top line-up including a Chardonnay and Pinot from Landmark Vineyards, that has the same owners as Justin Winery, followed by all of their iconic reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Justification and, of course, Isosceles. Wow!
We hope to see you here! Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement if you're interested. As always, as a courtesy to everyone attending this dinner, we'll make all of the limited production wines available for purchase first to those in attendance before putting them on the shelves for the general public. Here's the line-up:
NOTE: Due to the complexity of this menu we regret that we will be unable to accommodate vegetarian requests.
Roasted Garlic Seafood Cake | Caper + White Wine Beurre Monté | Brown Butter Bread Crumbs
2017 Landmark Vineyards "Overlook" Chardonnay (5 oz. pour)
Pan Roasted Quail | Toasted Farro Risotto | Mushroom Pan Jus
2016 Landmark Vineyards "Overlook" Pinot Noir (5 oz. pour)
Braised Pork Shank | Pan Fried Thyme + Black Pepper Spätzle
2017 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon (3 oz. pour)
Pressed Lamb Shoulder | Caramelized Savoy Cabbage | Panko Crusted Potato Cake | Lamb Bordelaise
2016 Justin "Justification" Right Bank Bordeaux Blend (3 oz. pour)
Melted Cambozola | Toasted Ciabatta
2016 Justin "Isosceles" Bordeaux Blend (3 oz. pour)
Dark Chocolate Pots de Crème | Vanilla Whip | Orange Brandy Floater (1 oz. pour over)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RSVP ~ (619) 295-3939
Please make your reservations directly with Wine Vault & Bistro at 619-295-3939. We're very good about returning calls promptly, so please leave a message with the best time to return your call if you get the dreaded voice mail.
COST
Cost for the complete dinner including all six courses and all five wines is $89.50 per person. Sales tax and an 18% gratuity will be added to the cost of all dinners. Due to limited seating, CREDIT CARD RESERVATIONS ARE AN ABSOLUTE MUST. We accept Visa and MasterCard only.
SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS
Due to the complexity of this menu we regret that we will be unable to accommodate vegetarian requests. If you have any other special dietary needs, please let us know when you RSVP, not when you arrive. We will do our best to accommodate special dietary needs if we can and if given advance notice. Please be aware that last minute menu aberration requests without advance notice will be impossible for us to accommodate.
CANCELLATION POLICY
You may cancel your reservation up to 72 hours in advance without penalty. NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED WITH LESS THAN 72-HOUR NOTICE unless we are able to replace your cancellation at the last minute. (See below for groups over 4 people.)
LARGE GROUPS (OVER 4)
If you want to come with a group of friends, please make one reservation for your entire party so we can reserve a block of seats for you ... however, in the interest of fairness to others, we reserve the right to limit the number of people on a single reservation at our discretion. The cancellation period for canceling the ENTIRE reservation without penalty is doubled from the standard 72 hours (see above) to 144 hours (6 days). If you need to cancel only 1 or 2 people, the standard 72-hour notice still applies.
WHEN
The bar will open at 4:15 for a pre-dinner reception until 5:00. Dinner will then begin promptly at 5:00, but we HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend that you arrive well before then to better your chances of getting a closer parking space and to beat the last minute rush.
WHERE
Wine Vault & Bistro is located in the heart of San Diego between Little Italy and Old Town at 3731-A India Street on the upper terrace. Follow the black handrail from the sidewalk up the stairs to our front door.
PARKING
Valet parking is available for $8.00. The drop-off point is two doors south of our entrance in front of Shakespeare Pub at the corner of India and Winder. On-street parking is also usually available within a 3-block radius. Remember that it’s OK to park in yellow commercial zones on Sunday and that meters are also not enforced. You can also park in the lot behind Shakespeare Pub two doors down, but do not park in El Indio's lot unless you want your car towed! If you can’t find parking next to the restaurant, there’s always LOTS OF PARKING on San Diego Avenue and the adjacent side streets just past the Chevron station across Washington Street. So please don't drive yourself crazy endlessly going around in circles waiting to pounce on that perfect spot when there's TONS OF PARKING less than three blocks away!
WINE QUANTITIES
We'll be pouring 3-5 ounce tasting portions of wine (see the line-up above) plus one ounce of orange brandy for a total of 20 ounces, or the equivalent of almost a full bottle of wine per person. Pour buckets are provided for designated drivers.
WINE SALES
Although some wines may be in limited quantities, all wines poured at this dinner will be available for purchase at the restaurant until sold out. We reserve the right to limit sales of any rare or allocated wines at our discretion.
WINE NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES
2017 Landmark Vineyards "Overlook" Chardonnay ~ $18
(Sonoma County) Winemaker's Notes: Pale yellow in the glass, showing aromas of meyer lemon, baked apple and honeysuckle. The fullbodied palate shows ripe lemon, yellow apple skin on entry with, creamy peach, subtle butterscotch notes and chamomile flower with a hint of salted caramel on the mid palate. The finish has an attractive mineral texture and fresh acidity with lightly toasted brioche and tropical fruit notes. Pair simply with yellowtail sashimi garnished with a fresh lemon wedge, or try it with a dressed-up Pairs beautifully with browned scallops in an herbed butter roux. Also try a firm cheese such as a gouda or dry jack.
2016 Landmark Vineyards "Overlook" Pinot Noir ~ $20
(Sonoma County) Winemaker's Notes: Medium purple ruby color, with a medley of black and red cherry, ripe pomegranate, attractive baking spice with a crushed pink peppercorn accent. The palate is medium to full-bodied, fresh and lively with muddled strawberry, cherry and cola on entry with wild berried, rhubarb and a hint of sassafras toward the mid palate. The finish shows sustained dark fruit and spice wrapped in silky tannins with a barely perceivable suggestion of lemon zest. Pair with a pork loin and cherry reduction, the 2017 Overlook Pinot Noir is also complimented by rich, triple cream cheeses such as Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam.
2017 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $24
(Paso Robles) Winemaker's Notes: Deep purple ruby core, slightly lighter at the rim showing slight staining on the glass. Aromatic with black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, attractive oak and complex cigar box notes with cocoa and a subtle purple floral note. Dry, moderate plus bodied, with ripe blackcurrant, black cherry and a touch of red fruit brightness on the entry. Balanced oak, vanilla spice and brioche notes mixed with classic savory cabernet varietal cues mingle on the mid-palate. The finish is moderately long and fresh with sustained rounded fruit and lingering baking spice balanced nicely by firm, smooth tannins. This is a perfect go-to red that’s great with variety of pairings from pasta Bolognese to Wagyu burgers, or try it with a variety of freshly baked wood-fired pizzas. Its versatility is amazing.
2016 Justin "Justification" Right Bank Bordeaux Blend ~ $50
(Paso Robles) Winemaker's Notes: 52% Cabernet Franc + 48% Merlot. Dark ruby purple core with a medium rim and slight staining on the glass. Aromatic red and black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, complex barrel spice of vanilla, licorice and cinnamon, and subtle dried leaf, cedar and camphor notes. Full bodied, fresh with red and black fruit and baking spice on entry with savory fall leaves, cedar pencil and leather meeting sustained sweet spice on the midpalate. The finish is long and complex with wild cherry, camphor and savory elements wrapped in firm, balanced tannins. This is an elegant, wonderfully balanced wine that mixes complex fruit and savory elements with generous texture, all while staying fresh on the palate. This wine is a versatile food pairing wine with an affinity for game fowl like pan seared duck breast or roasted pheasant, but is equally at home with a prime filet mignon served with a dollop of garlic and herb butter.
2016 Justin "Isosceles" Bordeaux Blend ~ $68
(Paso Robles) Winemaker's Notes: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc + 7% Merlot. The wine is dark ruby/purple core in appearance, lighter in color toward the rim. Moderate plus viscosity with slow forming, slightly stained tears. Highly aromatic with ripe black cherry and cassis fruit, vanilla and cinnamon spice with cedar, graphite, dried autumn leaf and licorice notes over an attractive toasted oak background. Dry, full-bodied with ripe, complex black fruit of cherry and blackcurrants layered with baking spice on the entry. The mid palate has continuing ripe fruit with savory dried leaf elements, cedar, anise, camphor and a bit of cocoa surrounded with firm, chewy tannins and sweet spice notes that add complexity as the palate evolves. Sustained fruit, spice and savory elements mix through a very long, complex and fresh finish with lingering tannins. This wine is full bodied, complex and balanced and pairs well with rich, full-flavored dishes like braised beef short ribs over polenta as easily as it does with a classic New York steak simply seasoned with salt and pepper and grilled over an open fire. If you can, try cellaring some of your 2016 ISOSCELES to better experience the added complexity and finesse that only time can bring to this exceptional wine.
THE FINE PRINT
Due to fluctuations of supply, we reserve the right to make substitutions of equal or greater value in case any of the wines or foods become unavailable. Please, ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 ... even if your babysitter flakes out on you at the last minute!
Hope to see you here. Buon appetito and cheers!
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Wine Vault & Bistro
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