Spectacular Service and Wines to Match at Martis Camp's Cliff Room in Truckee CA

I rarely start off a wine review with “those lucky people at…”, but the spectacular wines and service-to-match at The Cliff Room at Martis Camp merit that statement.  Joshua Plack is the talented Wine Director who constantly revamps the wine list at this private residential club to match the fresh and inventive creations of Executive Chef Shaun King.  This truly is wining and dining at its best at Lake Tahoe, but in case Martis Camp is not on your agenda, don’t worry.  I found all of the wines reviewed below on the internet.

Commanderie de la Bergemone,
Rose 2012 from Provence

The 2012 Rose, Commanderie de la Bergemone, Provence, France, is a pale salmon-pink sparkler with flavor of melon and pineapple, and a floral and strawberry aroma. It is rich and fresh, and was a wonderful pairing with Sashimi.  Bargemone is among the foremost estates of the Coteaux d'Aix, a small fine wine district inside the larger Appellation of Provence.  Provence is famous for dry rose. 12.3 percent alcohol.  Internet pricing was around $15 the bottle.

Domaine Huet 2011
Chenin Blanc, Vouvray

2011 Chenin Blanc, Domaine Huet, Le Haut Lieu  Sec. Vouvray, France, is a crisp and clean wine with a nice acidity that paired well with the scallop dish.  Aroma of citrus and exotic fruit, with a touch of grapefruit to add to the favor of nectarine and peach makes this a lively dry wine.  13.5 percent alcohol.  Internet pricing was around $25 the bottle.

La Follette 2011
Pinot Noir, North Coast

The 2011 La Follette Pinot Noir, North Coast, California, was a taste treat of red fruit, chocolate and black cherries in the glass, with an earthiness that helps you remember why coastal Pinot Noir is so good.  The acid and tannins are well balanced, and there are notes of rosemary, sage and rose petal to add to the complexity of this wine. 13.7 percent alcohol.  Internet pricing around $25 the bottle. The Cliff Room pairing was a grilled Matsutake Soup.

 

Louis Martini 2010
Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
 

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon from Louis Martini, Napa, was a great pairing with braised short ribs.  The dark berry and ripe cherry flavors in this smooth and drinkable wine led one wine critic to term it “an inexpensive beauty”.   I liked its medium body, soft tannins, and cherry and blackberry aroma too.  14.5 percent alcohol.  Internet price around $12 the bottle.

 

Left: 2008 Royal Tokaji
Red label Aszu 5 Putonyos

Finally, a wonderful dessert wine, the 2008 Royal Tokaji "Red Label- Aszú 5 Puttonyos" from Hungary.  I loved this Tokaji, a honeyed and fruity treat with fruit flavors of citrus, apricot, and pineapple.  A nice minerality leads to a long finish.  11.5 percent alcohol.  Internet price around $35 for 500 ml bottle.

 

Lucky Me! Enjoying being a guest 
 at The Cliff Room

The Cliff Room in the Lodge at Martis Camp is a key feature of this elegant private residential community located in Truckee. www.MartisCamp.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This review appeared in Wine Time, a column written for The Tahoe Weekly, on October 16, 2013. You can find this and other Wine Time columns in the online edition of The Tahoe Weekly.