NEW Restaurant: Jaba

With thanks to fellow member Dr. Elaine, we are going to a new restaurant! Jaba is a Taiwanese restaurant and their website proclaims, "Where tradition meets innovation in Taiwanese cuisine," Some of us had a tryout dinner at Jaba and we loved the restaurant setting, the people who work there and of course the food!

Please note, our agreement with Jaba for a reduced corkage relies on EVERYONE ordering at least 2 items. YOU MUST ORDER EITHER ONE APPETIZER OR SIDE PLUS ONE ENTREE, OR ONE ENTREE PLUS A DESSERT. THERE ARE NO EXPECTIONS TO THIS! I WILL REMOVE ANYONE FROM THE GROUP WHO FAILS TO ADHERE TO THIS RULE.

ALSO, JABA WILL ACCOMDATE THOSE OF US WITH SHELLFISH (AND OTHER) ALLERGIES. SO IF YOU SIGN UP, AND YOU HAVE FOOD ALLEGIES, PLEASE CONTACT ME IN ADVANCE AND LET ME KNOW. DO NOT ASSUME I KNOW YOUR FOOD ALLEGIES.

Here is a link to Jaba's menu: Jaba Menu

Just a reminder of our usual rules:

The cost of this event is $44 and is for the wines and corkage. You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and appetizer ). There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a low corkage.

NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It is annoying and confusing, but there is nothing I can do about it. It comes to approximately $4 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. MEETUP+ members are exempt from this charge.

Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $6 service fee.

Lastly: NO DRINKING AND DRIVING

The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner):
Chardonnet & Fils Rosé de Saignée Brut ($45)
Crafted by Domaine Chardonnet & Fils in the Grand Cru village of Avize within the Côte des Blancs region of Champagne, France, this vibrant Rosé de Saignée Brut is composed of a 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Pinot Meunier blend. Unlike standard blended rosés, the rare and labor-intensive saignée method involves allowing the clear juice to macerate on the dark grape skins for a short period, "bleeding" out a deeper ruby color, robust structure, and richer berry flavors. In the glass, it opens with commanding aromas of wild strawberry, dark forest fruits, and ripe cherry that yield to subtle tart rhubarb, while the bone-dry palate delivers bright sour cherry sorbet, citrusy lemon pith, and intriguing savory hints of tarragon before culminating in a clean, tonic-like finish. Because of this distinct tannic structure and weightier mouthfeel, a Rosé de Saignée is widely considered by sommeliers to be the ultimate Champagne for Asian gastronomy. Its bright acidity acts as a perfect palate cleanser that effortlessly cuts through rich glazes and stands up beautifully to deep, savory umami profiles, making it an exceptional pairing for proteins like roasted duck, sweet and savory pork belly, fatty fish such as tuna or salmon, and marinated beef.

Restanques Vacqueyras Blanc 2024 ($40)
Produced by a certified organic, family-run estate in the Southern Rhône Valley, the Mas des Restanques Vacqueyras Blanc 2024 is a classic, full-bodied blend of Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, and Grenache Blanc that consistently earns strong praise and general ratings hovering around 90 points. Aged for six months in oak barrels with regular stirring of the yeast lees, this opulent wine develops a beautifully rich, viscous, and creamy texture. It opens with highly fragrant aromas of white peach, pear, honeysuckle, and brioche, leading into a lush, mouth-coating palate of dried apricot and subtle vanilla, all kept perfectly balanced by the bright freshness of the Clairette grape. When paired with savory, umami-rich Chinese gastronomy, this wine excels by using its substantial weight and aromatic intensity to match the food. The creamy texture flawlessly mirrors rich, glossy sauces like oyster or sesame oil, the exotic floral aromatics serve as a striking counterpoint to pungent ginger and garlic, and its complete lack of tannins ensures no bitter clash with soy sauce or fermented bean pastes, making it an ideal companion for dishes like scallion ginger lobster, drunken chicken, or heavy garlic stir-fries.

Restanques Vacqueyras Mas des Restanques - 2022 ($34) - From the Southern Rhone. JD 93 points, "Silky and weightless yet packed with flavor, the 2022 Mas Des Restanques is a beautifully balanced Vacqueyras with notes of strawberry, blackberry, peppery herbs, and sandalwood. Medium to full-bodied, it has remarkable elegance and ultra-fine tannins that carry through a long, seamless finish. This is 55% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and the balance Mourvèdre, aged all in concrete tanks." This is a full-bodied, robust wine. The Grenache provides a plush, juicy core of fruit, while the Syrah and Mourvèdre add a backbone of grippy, yet relatively smooth tannins. It finishes with a warm, peppery kick.
It is a classic GSM Blend (predominantly Grenache, with Syrah and Mourvèdre). The 2022 vintage in the Rhône was a "solar year"—extremely hot and dry. This means the grapes got very ripe, resulting in a wine that is generous, rich, and concentrated.

The "secret weapon" of a Southern Rhône GSM blend is its natural affinity for warm spices and savory herbs. This makes it an incredible pairing for the heavier, braised side of Taiwanese cuisine that utilizes Five-Spice powder, star anise, and dark soy sauce.

2021 Tongue Dancer Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ($52) - Review for the 2022 vintage, ""Whoa. This is now the seventh vintage of this wine that I have reviewed and I am as smitten as ever ... Shy initially, to the point that I decided to give it a brief decant. Good choice (I have to admit I love it when I am right). Incredible fruit on the nose: great red fruit (cherry, pomegranate, even some red plum), a touch of spice, and a hint of basil. Whoa. The palate is even better with all that fruit, a touch of earth and spice, and a zingy tartness that really brings it all together. Holy cow. This wine helped make a certain debate more than palatable." ~ the drunken cyclist"

2022 LAVINEA Pinot Noir Eola - Amity Hills ($53) - From Oregon, WS 94 points, "Dynamic and deeply structured, this red retains a sense of grace. Multilayered flavors of cherry and cranberry are laced with fresh violet and forest floor accents that persist toward steely tannins. Drink now through 2032. 630 cases made. (drink by 2032)"