Christmas dinner with my folks & the traditional (for us) lobster casserole with sides.
1990 Pol Roger Brut Chardonnay
Starting to show a touch of bronze in its golden color. Toast, brown sugar and lemon on the nose, and a well-developed secondary set of flavors accented by bright, tart citrus that gives great freshness. Drinking very well now, and the citrus element bodes well for further cellaring if you prefer more aged character in your Champagne. The bright lemon character went very well with the lobster. 91
2002 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay
Chardonnay by the crew of "This Old House." So much wood that the wine is dominated by very bitter vanilla. Underneath there is substantial fruit, but I cannot get past the bitterness. Terribe with the food, which is too bad, as balanced Cali Chard has worked in the past (e.g. Ramey) 78
2005 Olivier Leflaive Mersault
I expected this to be very woody, but it was not. Minerally to nearly the point of Chablis expression, this was delicious, and a very fine match with the lobster. It did show some extra wood as it warmd up, but never to the point of distraction (unlike a 2004 Jadot Mersault Perrieres I had Saturday which was overly woody even for its substantial fruit). Given the balanced wood and great mineral cut I will likely be adding some of this to my cellar. 88
2005 Chidaine Montluis-sur-Loire Clos Habert
Initially shy on the nose, but very fruity on the palate with any structure hiding behind lots of primary fruit. Air brought greater definition, and alos more on the nose, with fresh fruit, nut skin and a little bit of Chenin waxiness/wooliness as well. Also delicious with the lobster, as it's in a demi-sec style which works with lobster's natural sweetness. 92