White Burgundy of the Year

 

Unfortunately--truly unfortunately--we're sold out. Good luck finding it, too. Cyril Audoin produced just 3 barrels or 700 bottles of this 2011 Marsannay Blanc La Charme aux Pretres. In the west coast of the United States a mere 180 bottles showed up. At a price of $37 our stock sold out immediately and I could not replenish it.

It is the first vintage for this single lieu-dit Marsannay white. Previously Cyril Audoin blended the parcel into his Marsannay Blanc. But in 2011, he decided to separate out his tiny parcel of La Charme aux Pretres vineyard. This is Chardonnay from the northern end of the Cote de Nuits, yet it seems to channel Puligny down in the Cote de Beaune. Intensely perfumed. Hazelnuts and white stone fruits. Delicious. Its finesse and delicacy imbue class, making it hard not to believe it is not Puligny in your glass. A triumph for both the gifted Cyril Audoin and the marvelous terroir of his vineyard.

I can't wait for next year's release. I already heard 300 bottles were promised for the west coast. I will be waiting first in line.

Comfort Me with Samosas

I can't remember the very first time I had a samosa--probably in my grad school days, foraging for cheap eats around Central Square and Kenmore Square--but I knew on the first bite I instantly fell in love with it.

Recently I went into a samosa hunt. The samosa at the famous Amber India is good but didn't satisfy me--a little too grand with the chickpeas and pricey for this great humble snack. I heard Vik's Chaat Corner's is the best but the trek to Berkeley is a bit out of the way for me.


Finally, I read about Rajjot Sweets and Snacks deep in suburban Sunnyvale. The eatery was elusive to spot, sitting next to a corner gas station. Normally, I don't associate the two together. Thank God for the large window signage, "Fresh Indian Fast Food", I found the place after criscrossing half of Sunnyvale.


As soon as I walked in I knew this place would have great samosa. On the wall menu above the counter it said "Samosa order $.60 each". Proper samosa should be less than a buck. I ordered a bunch and ate one there together with my lunch plate of chicken curry and basmati rice with slivers of red onion, all washed down by refreshing mangolassi in a clear plastic cup. I must say, lunching in plastic and styrofoam ware has a certain je ne sais quoi. Everything was fantastic! I spent about $10 for the whole thing, including my precious take-out samosas.



Later that night, I wolfed down the rest of the samosa with glasses of wine. Fried in ghee, its thick, buttery crust and dense, spicy filling really constitute a meal--a real samosa must weigh about a pound each. Just kidding, but that's how it felt in my tummy. Anyway, with a sparkling Cava from German Gilabert it was heavenly, really like having tapas. And with a glass of a firm Marsannay Rouge from Regis Bouvier the samosa went down like butter, or should I say ghee.




Rajjot Sweets and Snacks
1234 South Wolfe Road
Sunnyvale, CA
408.730.5510