Another Incredible Experience at First Mile Kitchen

Bart here. This past weekend my wife and I took my in-laws to the First Mile Kitchen in Bradley Fair. We had bragged to them about the food and wine selection and wanted them to experience this with us. After perusing the dinner menu, I decided on the Black Truffle Alfredo with Black Truffle sauce, local mushrooms, handmade fettuccine and Parmesan cheese. I added chicken as well. To pair with this I chose the Benton Lane Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley, Oregon. I find Oregan Pinots have more distinct terroir qualities that should pair very well with the earthy quality of the truffles.

Yannic Dozier is the Sommelier at First Mile Kitchen who has put together a spectacular wine list that pairs beautifully with their exquisite cuisine. He is very knowledgeable about his wines and their cuisine and makes wonderful suggestions about pairing possibilities.  As it turns out, Yannic had been tasting wines earlier in the day as potential additions to his wine list and brought over 2 additional bottles he wanted us to sample.  

The first was a 2022 Parcela Tunduques Malbec, I.G.Los Chacayes, from Valle De Uco Mendoza, Argentina. This was a soft, terroir forward, violet-red wine with blue and red fruit characteristics. There were also the typical fresh tobacco notes. It was rather full bodied with mellow tannins mid-palate, and sweet tannins.

The second was from the same producer from a nearby vineyard, the 2022  Parcela Natrias Malbec. This one was brighter in color as well as on the nose. It had more dark ripe red plums and less herbal notes. It seemed a little less earthy and possibly more floral. Its tannins were also a little more prominent.  Generally, it felt a little more alive.

While the first wine, Benton Lane from Willamette Valley, was a beautiful choice with the Black Truffle Alfredo, the Malbecs stole the show! Especially the Parcela Tunduques with its dusty, earthy, “digging in a rose garden” qualities! I believe this was the best wine pairing I have had in the past year. The Black Truffle Alfredo was truly exquisite and did not need any help to be the star of the evening, however the 2022 Parcela Tunduques Malbec elevated it to Best of the Year status. If you have not been to First Mile Kitchen, please put this on your short need-to-do list.