22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille To Host Exclusive Opus One Wine Dinner

Restaurant Presents First Opus One Wine Dinner in Rhode Island in More Than Three Years

22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille, located at 22 Bowen’s Wharf in Newport, Rhode Island, is pleased to host an exclusive Opus One Wine Dinner on Wednesday, November 8, 2006. J. France Posener, the Eastern Divisional Sales Manager for Opus One and a 19 year veteran of the winery, will take wine connoisseurs on a truly rare culinary experience, representing the state’s first tasting of Opus One vintages in more than three years. The evening will begin with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception at 6:30 p.m., with dinner served promptly at 7:30 p.m., featuring four specially prepared courses created by Executive Chef Gary Jefferds. The cost is $175 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For more information or to make reservations, please call (401) 841-8884.

Modeled after the great First Growths of Bordeaux, Opus One is dedicated to the production of one wine only. Opus was founded in 1979, by the legendary wine families Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Bordeaux and Robert Mondavi Winery of Napa Valley, CA. From the start, the partnership set their goals extremely high: to make a wine that would belong in the company of the finest wines in the world.

“We are thrilled to be hosting one of the few Opus One wine dinners ever to take place in Rhode Island,” said Jamie Laplume, Manager of 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille. “Opus One has become one of the most celebrated wineries in the world by dedicating its entire winemaking process to creating only one wine varietal per year. This commitment to excellence shines through in every Opus One vintage, and is something that makes Opus One a favorite with 22 Bowen’s guests.”

The evening will feature two vintages of Opus One, which will be book ended by specially selected varietals from the wineries of founders Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild.
The evening will commence with a reception, featuring a sumptuous assortment of hors d’oeuvres. Selections include Prosciutto Wrapped Pairs with Sweet Cheese; Seared Beef Tenderloin stuffed with a fruit compote; Endive Boats filled with apples, bleu cheese and candied walnuts; and a Lemon-poached Scallop on Cucumber with a Mango Piquante Sauce. The vibrant fruit flavors in each dish will be perfectly complemented with the 2004 Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc, characterized by its lively pineapple, tropical fruit and honeydew essences. This exceptional wine was rated a “92” by Wine Enthusiast.

Dinner will begin with the Butternut and Roasted Red Pepper Bisque with Butter Poached Baby Prawns, paired with the 2002 Robert Mondavi Chardonnay Carneros. The enticing aromas of apple, citrus, mineral and spice, finished with a hint of creamy vanilla, nicely matches the texture of the wonderfully rich soup.

The second course will feature a savory Braised Leg of Lamb served over a shitake and white bean ragout, and topped with shaved truffle. Complementing the dish will be the recently released 2003 Opus One, a wine of deep garnet color that fuses blackberry and black cherry flavors with the nuances of dark chocolate, black licorice and herbs, which softly linger on the finish. This is the 25th vintage released by the winery.

The Bone-in Fillet over a Peruvian potato and daikon radish puree will follow, finished with a glace de viande. Balancing this hearty course is the 1998 Opus One, known for its elegant and supple qualities, and highlighted with notes of currant, cedar, anise and sage. This popular and rare vintage has been sold out at the winery for several years, but 22 Bowen’s has a small allocation tucked away in its wine cellar.

The decadent evening of cuisine and wine concludes with a Lavender Syrup Pound Cake topped with mixed berries and whipped cream, matched with the 2002 Sauternes Baron Philippe. Refined and stylish on the palate, this well-balanced dessert wine combines the aromas of lemon peel, honey and white blossom with subtly-spicy notes of vanilla and caramel.

About Opus One

Opus One was founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, legendary proprietor of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, and renowned Napa Valley Vintner Robert Mondavi. By combining the great winemaking traditions and innovations of both families, the founders’ singular goal was to create an exceptional wine in the heart of Napa Valley.

Opus One, like any great work, arose out of passion. Beginning with the first harvest in 1979, every vintage of Opus One has expressed this vision and passionate spirit. All the grapes harvested for Opus One come from the small viticulture region known as the Oakville-Rutherford Bench. This narrow shelf of lean, volcanic loam produces Bordeaux variety grapes of singular intensity and complexity. Each grape cluster is picked by hand, carefully sorted, and then each lot is fermented separately. Then the winemaker, Michael Silacci, tastes each lot independently, and carefully constructs the special blend to give each vintage of Opus One its unique style.

Opus One always reflects elegance, complexity and harmony, blending a combination of the five traditional Bordeaux varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The wine is then aged in brand new French “Chateau” oak barrels to add to the exceptional complexity of each vintage.

About 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille

A world-class steakhouse in the heart of Newport, 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille, located on historic Bowen’s Wharf, continues its fine-dining tradition by serving only the finest meat, seafood and produce in every dish. 22 Bowen’s is one of a select number of restaurants in the state to serve USDA Prime beef, and also boasts a menu abundant with local fresh-catch seafood and a full raw bar. Complementing every culinary delight is an award-winning wine list, featuring nearly 600 distinctive selections and 32 wines by the glass.

22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille is a subsidiary of Newport Harbor Corporation, an employee-owned (ESOP) hospitality company located in Newport, RI. For more information on Newport Harbor Corporation, please visit the website at www.newportharbor.com.