Date of dining experience: June 25, 2016
Place: Robust Wine Bar
Location: 227 West Lockwood Ave. in Webster Groves, MO
Meal: Bresaola "Carpaccio" Style ($8) - Dry-aged, salt-cured Beef, very lean, seasoned with traditional herbs and spices; topped with Parmesan Cheese, Arugula, and a touch of Truffle Oil. This dish was very delicate, aromatic, and flavorful. I was not terribly hungry on this visit, so I went with something a little lighter and less filling. This dish is listed on the dinner menu as a starter.
Dessert: Chef's Selection of 2 Robust Dessert-Style Cheeses ($12) - Apples, Dates, and Spanish Marcona Almonds. If you know me, you know I love cheese, especially good cheese! These two cheeses were exquisite. The flavors seemed to morph slightly with each different accompaniment. Along those same lines, a different wine pairing will bring out varying flavors.
Those of you who know my preferences, know that my favorite red wine is the Cabernet Franc. Well, Robust had two the night of my visit, so I had to have them both. They were both very good. So good, in fact, that I bought two bottles of each once I learned they were no longer going to carry either of them when their stock ran out! Well...
Wine 1: 2012 Ricci Curbastro "Curtafranca" Cabernet Franc Blend from Lumbardy, Italy (6 oz. pour - $10; bottle - around $20) - Amazingly balanced, this Italian Bordeaux blend adds a touch of Barbera and Nebbiolo, giving the wine a pleasant, round mouthfeel with cherry, rose petal, and a touch of cedar and spice. Though dry, this is a very light-bodied and smooth red.
Wine 2: 2012 Vin Ver'ray Reserve Cabernet Franc from Napa Valley, CA (6 oz. pour - $12; bottle - around $20) - Black cherry, vanilla, and baking spices emerge from the glass, along with undertones of smoke and earth. Bright expressions of cherry and blackberry on the palate. The tannins are balanced, making this wine approachable, yet sturdy. This wine is not a blend as the first one was, so it is much more full-bodied. This is probably the best Cabernet Franc I've ever tried.
Wine 3: If you didn't notice the other ingredients in the Curtafranca, they were Barbera and Nebbiolo. I have had a Barbera wine before, but I had never heard of Nebbiolo. So, naturally, when I saw they had a Nebbiolo on the wine list, I had to try it as well. It was good, so I bought a bottle of it as well.
2014 Giacomo Fenocchio Nebbiolo from Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (bottle - around $20) - The color is a deep, ruby red with garnet reflections and an intense and fruity bouquet of plum and cherry. The flavor is dry with good body, well-balanced tannins and harmonious with hints of liquorice, rose, and gudron. Though this wine was very good, I don't think it quite compares to the Cabernet Franc.
Our sommelier, Augustus Nanos (Gus), was extremely knowledgeable. I would never have thought to try a 10-year-aged Port with the cheeses, but it was great. The one thing he told me that I will never forget: A Port aged 10 years goes with dessert; a Port aged 20 years is dessert.
This is my second post about Robust. I absolutely love this place and highly recommend it for anyone who is going on a date, has a special event like a birthday or anniversary coming up, or just simply loves wine!
Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! You won't be disappointed. Enjoy!
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