California Wines & Wineries

Paso Robles Cabernet Franc Experience – Part 1 – Wine Writers Luncheon

Posted on December 8, 2023

 This story is about a two day event focusing on the Paso Robles Cabernet Franc experience last weekend. Day one started with a thank you luncheon for a few of the media folks who helped kick off the inganuaral event the prior year. Neeta and Kunal Mittal have a vision to make Paso Robles the center for Cabernet Franc, not just in California, not just in the United States, but the entire world. Their commitment to Cabernet Franc is shown with their exquisite and varying forms of Cabernet Franc.  They both have a vision with commitment, enthusiasm and abounding energy, and both have it with abundance!

The event was held at their home and soon to be winery tasting area in an open barn next to their vineyards. So to start, the greeting for those attending started with the wording Atithi Devo Bhava in Sanskrit which means “that the divine visits us in the persona of a guest”. This was their welcoming on the menu and what could possibly be more welcoming?

_{Photo ©Michael Kelly}

They provided a welcoming cordial of their LXV Cabernet Franc Rose while the guests assembled to hear about their vineyard.

_{Photo ©Michael Kelly}

Their consulting winemaker Fredrick Ammons provided many detailed insights into the terrain and planting of the vineyard. Fredrick’s experience and knowledge was absolutely incredible and very much appreciated by those in attendance.

_{Photo ©Michael Kelly}

Then we sat down to partake in an extraordinary meal. Not lost was the formal seating and culinary utensils in an open barn. A striking, stunning and rustic environment all presented before us as a gorgeous experience and one not soon forgotten.

_{Photo ©Michael Kelly}

Kunal and Neeta provided a warm welcome and an outline of the food and wine pairing about to take place. Neeta’s exuberance for foods with flavor and spices paired with wine is unparalleled amongst most of my circle of friends. She literally was about to burst out of her skin with joy describing what was about to take place. Her love of Cabernet Franc was summed up with her statement that this wine provides “conversations rather than a monologue”.

_{Photo ©Michael Kelly}

The first dish was a beets and quince comprised of pomegrante, smoked hibiscus , hazelnut, calamansi, Mexican tarragon and LXV Perfumed Garden spice. The textures and flavors were incredible and unusually delicious. This was paired with a 2022 LXV Blanc De Sangiovese light and delicate so as not to overpower the dish.

_{Photo ©Michael Kelly}

Before the next dish was served two wines were served side by side. On the left the 2019 Meso by LXV Cabernet Sauvignon and on the right the 2021 Meso Cabernet Sauvignon. A startling difference in coloration and clarity is seen immediately.

_{Photo ©Michael Kelly}

This dish was a fermented rye risotto with candy roasted squash, cacao, sunchoke, pecorino and LXV Turkish Shores spice.

_{Photo ©Michael Kelly}

And it only got better and better with a pork jowl toro featuring smoke scallop xo, turnip, dashi, shiso, sea beans served with a 2021 Meso LXV Syrah.  The pork and Syrah were melt in your mouth simpatico and a joy to savor each taste.

_{Photo ©Michael Kelly}

The last dish before dessert was a juniper smoked duck leg with crabapple, chestnut mushroom,   piñón, lovage, duck demi and served with a 2022 Meso LXV Cabernet Franc Barrel Sample (as it is not released yet). At some point it almost felt like being water boarded with delightful foods, exotic spices and wonderful wines. Nonetheless, we endured with a stoic attitude to the finality.

_{Photo ©Michael Kelly}

The afternoon concluded with a profound dessert of smoked chanterelle panna cotta with rosemary cajeta, chanterelle powder and sea salt. A surge of confusion immediately hit when tasting, as it was both sweet with a heavy texture, but so light and heavenly on the palate, you desired another bowl. This was served with a 2022 LXV Rose of Cabernet Franc and provided a beautiful finish to the culinary event.

A special thanks to Linda Sampei of Parker Sampei for the logistics and communications with all the attendees as it was commendable.

It has to be noted that the chef, Matthew Roberts, working with Neeta created a rare, unique, remarkable experience and the descriptors could go on for a page to help one comprehend the scope of this meal. While they were welcoming and thanking the media attendees, we were all treated as deity being served the foods and wines.  A hearty thank you Kunal and Neeta Mittal for your hospitality and we were blessed by your presence “Atithi Devo Bhava”.

Sláinte,

Michael

https://californiawinesandwineries.com

https://www.lxvwine.com/

Instagram: chef_matthew_roberts

https://www.parkersanpei.com/