Night at the GrayCliff

My night at Graycliff!  Some things you do in life you have to be determined, excited and sometimes alone. On a recent trip to Nassau, Bahamas that is exactly how I felt about having dinner and wine at the Graycliff.   The experience was simply amazing.  I was so excited on the taxi ride there I barely noticed my surroundings.   As we drove past the governor’s mansion I saw the entrance to this large historical looking home.  I was quickly greeted and seated in the cocktail reception area.  The first drink I ordered was a celebratory champagne cocktail.  It was sparkling wine with grand marnier, orange juice and a splash of liquor.   It was yummy!

The wine list was like reading a best seller from the NY Times top 5 list for me.  Of course it included some of the best Bordeuax’s from France ranging in price from $60 a bottle to $20,000 a bottle.

Alex the sommelier who attended to me for the night was awesome and promised me a personal tour of the wine cellar after dinner.  Alex also introduced me to “Rico” the owner.  I had no idea that he was the owner when we met.  A nice down to earth guy who knows his wine and his cigars.  We chatted shortly about wine after he asked about the Rideau Mouvedre I gifted Alex.  After he asked if the wine was made by an African American he very proudly told me that he carried Pinot Noir from Vision Cellars.  Wow, I was in love. 

In true Bahamian style I was seated for my 7:30 reservation at about 8:15pm.  I enjoyed the wait.  In the reception area a jazzy pianist/singer  belted classic rat pack tunes like “Love me tender”.  I was in good company.  Across from me were two gentlemen who flew in town just for a Superbowl party, a large section with local politicians and lawyers.  The energy in the room was amazing, vibrant, happy.

I was seated at a small table.  I was excited and being alone did not bother me at all.  I quickly found new friends as I usually do when wine is involved.  Alex delivered a gift from the owner, a bottle of Barrandica-a Bordeaux style blend from Mendoza Argentina. It was a blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Malbec.  I truly enjoyed the wine.  It was fun, smooth, fruity very new world and not earthy as French Bordeux. I actually thought the major grape was Malbec when I first tasted it. It was not until I read the label and discovered only 10% Malbec.  It paired well with the shrimp and duck salad I ordered. 

After desert and sharing dessert , Alex finally grabbed me and took me on my private tour of the wine cellar.

I don’t know where to start.  Never in my life have I been in a cellar filled with such a diverse and old wine collection.  The oldest wine was a Riesling from Germany, 1942.

What an awesome night!