Bonny Doon Wine Dinner at Jasper's

The Shops at Legacy in Plano is a neat shopping / dining area. West Plano is a long way from East Dallas, but I thought it would be worth a trip up there for a dinner with a reportedly interesting wine maker at an excellent restaurant. It was worth the trip.

Randall Grahm has the reputation of being a rather interesting fellow. You can read about him on the Bonny Doon website. I expected a flambouyant, entertaining individual. But Grahm presented as a hippie who is serious, intellectual and romantic about terrior, biodynamic growing and wine. I liked all of the wines and would like to visit one of the Bonny Doon tasting rooms, which are reportedly pretty trippy.

The Menu

- Wood Roasted Judith Point Moonstone Oysters with Spanish Chorizo-Herb Butter; Grilled Eggplant with Curried Lentils and Green Chili Papadam, Ca’Del Solo, Albarino 2007
- Butter Poached Main Lobster “Pot Pie,” Bonny Doon, Le Cigare Blanc 2006

(During the passed hors d'oeuvres and the first course, they kept filling our glasses. Yummy, but yikes. Fortunately they limited us during the other courses or I would have had to stay in Plano. We were all suprised by the generous pouring.)
- Ca’Del Solo Nebbiolo Braised Lamb with Homemade Pappardelle and Royal Trumpet Mushrooms, Ca’Del Solo, Nebbiolo Monterey 2005

(An interesting note on this Nebbiolo... Grahm spoke a bit about the wines. He said this one was incredibly tight and needed to decant for many hours. I liked it very much. I would love try it after it had seen some air and note the difference.)
- Texas “Kobe” Meat Loaf with Brie Scallop Potatoes and Roasted Cipollini Demi, Bonny Doon, Le Cigare Volant 2003, Bonny Doon, Le Cigare Volant 2004
- Bosc Pear-Brie Strudel with Toasted Almond Honey, Bonny Doon, Le Vol Des Anges 2006

(I loved the savory-sweet dessert and its compliment to the notes of honey in the wine.)

Some of the wines through which Bonny Doon and Grahm became well-known - Cardinal Zin, the Big House wines - have been sold off by Grahm. He clearly wants to be small and focused. And it works. All of the wines were enjoyable and well-paired with this menu.

I went with friends Elle and her beloved, and we had the good fortune of being seated with two nice couples. How often does one end up at a table full of over-30 people who are childless by choice who love their pets as children?

Another Bonny Doon note - They make a Viogner port. Who ever heard of such? I would like to try it, but I think it is available only at the tasting room.