Okay, we admit it.  We approached yet another white tablecloth dinner with a little trepidation – more heavy food.  We were delighted to find that La Grande Vigne just did it all so perfectly – it was all so good.

THIS was the place that Christina finally had foie gras prepared the way she had been seeking it – mission accomplished.  Admittedly, at this point so many months later, we don’t remember a whole lot more about the meal, except that it was all excellent, and we left knowing it was a restaurant we’d definitely like to visit again sometime.  Even if you’re not staying on the property, the food is worth the visit to the hotel.

What we do have notes on is the wine we enjoyed at dinner.  We highly recommend it:

2009 Chateau Cantemerle, Haut-Medoc – Very subtle nose of deep red/black fruit with a hint of oak.  In the mouth, deep blackberry and a little red currant, with spices complicating it all.  Very savory in the mouth, smooth on the palate and very good acidity keeping everything lively.  Full bodied, good ripe tannin structure and a long black fruit finish.  This wine is drinking well now, but with a little more time in the cellar, this wine will be a very elegant and rich wine to savor.  This is an absolutely beautiful wine, especially for the price point.  If you are looking for an economical complex red Bordeaux wine that will age two decades, this is a must buy wine.  As good as the 2009 Cantemerle is, the 2010 is supposed to be even better, but I have not tasted it yet.  At this price point though, you can’t go wrong, buy both.

Whew. It was another long, but fascinating day of activity.  At this point, there were only two days left in the tour – a bittersweet thought.  Coming up next – we explore the right bank in St. Emilion…