The Omaha
Event Report:
IWFS Holiday Party – A Traditional Country Club Celebration
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Château Smith Haut Lafitte
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The Omaha Branch brought Smith Haut Lafitte 2014 to the IWFS Holiday party. We visited the château on the Bordeaux Festival in 2022. The property is an assemblage of disparate architectural styles, from the 15th to 19th centuries, surrounded by forest and hedges. Historically, the Verrier Du Boscq family planted vineyards in 1365 on a gravelly plateau named lafitte. In 1720, a Scotsman named George Smith purchased the property, built a manor house, and added his name to the property. In 1990, Daniel and Florence Cathiard purchased the estate. They had no experience growing grapes as they were professional snow skiers and owned GhostSports. They sold their business to purchase the château. The buildings were all in disrepair, and the Cathiards revitalized them and built a new winemaking and cellar facility. They have also invested in modern art, primarily sculptures, which are scattered throughout the facility and grounds. Today the winery uses organic methods, horses to work the vineyard, and has their own cooper on property to make their barrels. In the Graves classification system, they are a Grand Cru Classé. They got back on the wine map when Robert Parker Jr. awarded the 2009 grand vin a perfect 100-point score. Unfortunately, we did not have the 2009 to drink, but the 2014 we did have was a delicious wine!
Cheers!
Tom Murnan
“If Moses had known you, there would have been another Commandment.” - Henny Youngman.
Event Report: IWFS Holiday Party A Traditional Country Club Celebration
Written by Tom Murnan, Photos by Tom Murnan
Our Sunday December 15th Holiday event was a joint event with the Omaha Metro Branch. The Happy Hollow Club looked festive with its Christmas decorations. With the theme of Traditional Country Club Celebration, the menu did not have as many courses as we sometimes have, but they were all very tasty. We had 76 attendees and a relaxed dress code of Holiday Attire. The quaffing station had an abundance of Champagne and different wines to choose from, while the appetizer station provided Prosciutto Wrapped Pears, Braised Short Rib Croquet and bite sized Saint André Raspberry Tarts. John Fascianella provided live singing throughout the evening, beginning with this meet and greet session. I have to say, everyone seemed especially cheery.
Once seated, we started with HHC Classic Thunderbird Salad. I always thought the Thunderbird Salad originated at the Omaha Press Club, but it began right here at the Happy Hollow Club when Peruvian born Executive Chef Luis Villamonte served it to guests in the 1960s. Wow. Talk about being on theme! Maybe I thought it came from the Press Club because Steve Villamonte is Luis’ son. So, besides the Reuben sandwich and butter brickle ice cream, Omaha can claim the Thunderbird as having originated here. The Alheit Cartoloy Western Cape Chenin Blanc 2018 was a good match for the TB salad.
Next was the HHC Classic Lobster Bisque. Rich and creamy, with lots of lobster chunks, we tried both a white and a red wine. I preferred the Roserock Drouhin Oregon Chardonnay 2019. Its high acidity cut right through the soup’s richness, and its lack of oak and slight citrus flavor was exactly right for the bisque. Astoundingly, it received a mighty 99-point rating from WA reviewer Erin Brooks. The competing red wine, a Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas Rhȏne was a poor match according to my palate. But Mike Wilke was polling the diners and said it was 50 / 50 out in the
crowd. All I can say is there’s no accounting for taste. The duo wines continued with the entrée, where Filet of Beef shared the plate with Chilean Sea Bass. Sides were Boursin Whipped Potatoes, Baby Carrot, Green Beans, Broccolini and Brandy Peppercorn Sauce. The two reds were both Cabernet based, and weren’t doing any favors for the Sea Bass, but they were more tolerable than the Gigondas with the bisque, especially if you added some of the potatoes with the fish. For one thing, the tannins and oak were not friends to the bass. But with the beef, the reds shined. Both wines did a great job there. When we went to the IWFS Bordeaux Festival in 2022, we ate at Château Smith Haut Lafitte, south of Bordeaux city in Pessac Leognan. It was pretty much neglected by the wine press until Robert Parker himself gave the 2009 a 100-point rating. Since then, demand has soared. Our 2014 version did quite well as did the Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon 2016.
Dessert was Chocolate Dipped Crème Brûlee. Chocolaty, vanilla-ish and sweet, what was not to like? The Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Port 2012 was tannic, young but right on for matching flavors of the custard, especially with the chocolate. John Fascianella had been playing most of the evening, grabbing dinner during breaks. With all his Italian songs, as well as sounding a lot like Frank Sinatra, he was a great hit with my Italian wife Mary and her sister-guest, Paula. After dinner, a small number (of mostly women) were dancing to the tunes. All in all, it was a relaxing, fun evening. Many thanks to Mike & Rhonda Wilke. Co-Host Joe Goldstein was busy getting a raise from his son, who graduated from college the day before. Joe acknowledged the Wilkes in his opening greeting when we sat down. The service was superior, and the chef made himself country club proud.
2025 UPCOMING OMAHA BRANCH EVENTS
FEB 08 OMAHA PRIME.
Valentine’s Day Theme. Joint event with the Omaha Metro Branch. Producers: Dave Thrasher & Todd Lemke.
MAR 15
MARCH MADNESS STAG.
Happy Hollow Club. Producer: Joe Goldstein.