I continue to finish just about every work trip through France (at least during the winter months) with a table at L’Ami Louis. After two long weeks of work, there’s nothing like walking into a bistro in Paris where you know everyone and they know you. Even better, they unquestionably serve some of the finest cuisine out there. I have yet to find a better roast chicken anywhere, and despite my best efforts, I can’t find a better potato dish than their roasted potato cake served with fresh garlic. On this occasion, I had just wrapped up tasting the 2022 Bordeaux En Primeur, which is unquestionably a great vintage loaded with majestic, ripe, opulent wines, and I didn’t arrive in Paris until later in the afternoon.

Instead of taking a taxi, I always prefer to walk the roughly 35 minutes from my hotel, as this is a good bistro to arrive refreshed and hungry! While I ordered the usual roasted chicken and potato cake, I have to admit to ordering a salad for the first time ever, and given the quality, I’ll be starting meals here with a salad more often. While not ordered on this occasion, the Foie Gras is to die for (and it might literally just give you a heart attack), and the escargot are outrageously good.

The wine list is loaded with terrific wines from Bordeaux and the Rhône, and in general, the list includes plenty of terrific values. While I had just recently tasted the 2005 Haut-Bailly at the château, I loved it so much that I ordered a bottle. This absolutely brilliant wine brings plenty of richness and depth while still showing the classic elegance and finesse imparted by this terroir and winemaking team. The 2005 actually reminds me slightly of the 2010 (as opposed to the more opulent, sexy 2009) and has a vibrant, pure, focused style that gained weight over the evening. It’s certainly in its prime drinking window yet will evolve gracefully for another two decades.

 

By Jeb Dunnuck
Founder & Wine Critic
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