chef

chef jean-marie lacroix recommends this value-packed marsanne-based white with his skate wing sautéed in brown butter with warm potato and caper gribiche and vodka caviar sauce.

wine list

the lacroix at the rittenhouse’s 4,000-bottle wine cellar is half french, but includes selections from all over the world. the bottles below reflect a similarly wide range of terroirs, but are french in name and/or spirit.

château ste. michelle merlot columbia valley 2000 ($16) pure, intense berry fruit in an attractively priced washington state offering.

ancien chardonnay carneros 2001 ($31)
bright, juicy chard with lively acidity and lovely balance.

bonny doon vineyard “le cigare volant” california 2001 ($32)
a tongue-in-cheek take on châteauneuf-du-pape; rich and complex with racy charm.

cuvaison cabernet sauvignon napa valley 1999 ($30)
lush with smooth plum and spice with hints of chocolate.

gosset brut excellence champagne nv ($48)
a great value in champagne, with toasty notes and nice acid structure.

château d’issan margaux 2000 ($45)
one of the sleepers of the stellar 2000 bordeaux vintage; dark and dense with lovely plum balanced with subtle woodsy notes.

j. lohr winery cuvée pom paso robles 1999 ($50)
an elegant pomerol-inspired blend, with smooth, generous merlot-driven flavors.

domaine serene pinot noir evenstad reserve willamette valley 2000 ($50)
oregon delivers another concentrated pinot noir with long cherry flavors.

casa lapostolle clos apalta rapel valley 2000 ($60)
from the chilean winery of the lapostolle family (of grand marnier fame); coffee, herbs, and deep cassis fruit with style and finesse.