Jim Jones (who had set up a great offline for my Japan visit last year) was scheduled to visit from Tokyo, and we invited some geeky friends to join us for dinner. Jim's meeting was cancelled, and he decided not to spend thousands of dollars to come just for dinner. We missed him, but the rest of us had a fun evening. A little loud at first, as Lucy the Basset had much to say to Lena the Basset, but eventually we were able to have some nice conversation.
We started on the patio with some smoked fish canapes and a pickle collection (Betsy and Jen had bonded about picklemania at an earlier offline). A couple of pleasant starters:
NV Pinon Vouvray Petillant
This isn't the "new batch", but my last bottle of previous release. Appley with just a hint of yeast. Jay says new batch is better, but this is pretty tasty for my tastes. B
2004 Leitz Rudesheimer Klosterlay Kabinett
Nose of white flowers and damp rocks, good peach and apple fruit on the palate. Rather mineral finish. Nice. B+
We never made it an Oupia rose, before it was time to go inside for the first course. Marrow bones for the dogs, a lobster/corn/tomato salad for the people (reminder to self- wait for local tomatoes rather than tasteless heirlooms from Whole Foods).
2000 Knoll Ried Kreutles Loibner Smaragd
This was a little funky at first. I thought it showed some signs of heat damage, though I bought from a reputable source not long after release. But that slight madeirized note dissipates by time I revisit much later. Apple fruit with some green lentil and pepper. Good, but I think I liked this better on release. B
2001 Bouchard "Perrieres" Meursault 1er
This, on the other hand, was rather mute at first. As it opened it seemed fairly oaky, but a real mineral base underneath. This is definitely not "fruit driven", but a nice stony Burg that needs time. B+
We moved on to the reds with some grilled lamb chops (ended up ok I think, though a miscommunication re grill temps almost caused disaster), a rice blend that won't be repeated, and a chopped salad. Mucho reds:
1988 Bouchard Le Corton
Slow oxygenated for a couple hours. Still had some funk at pouring time. A couple of folks really liked. I found pleasant but unremarkable. Some earth and meat over round red fruit. B
1997 St. Innocent "Seven Springs" Pinot Noir
Muted nose at first. After a short stint in decanters it opened prettily. Bright red fruit, floral and spice aromas. Why aren't more US Pinot Noirs like this? B+/A-
1986 Ch. Poujeaux (Moulis)
This spent hours in a decanter, but still showed quite young. Earthy with clear if not vigorous cassis fruit and some remaining tannins. B+
1979 Drouhin Chambertin Clos de Beze
Jay knew how much I liked this, and very generously brought along. Sweet pretty fruit, with waves of forest floor and mushroom aromas and a little hint of sandalwood. Balanced, long, and complex. Not a wine of power, but of elegance. I think I liked a bottle at Cafe Meze a couple months ago just a tad better, but this is my WOTN, despite some good competition. A-/A
1990 Ch. Bourgneuf (Pomerol)
Double-decanted a couple of hours before dinner, I wasn't too thrilled with a sip of the dregs. Seemed to be a victim of the downside of 1990- just roasted plums dominating everything. But at dinner a more complete wine had emerged- the red plum fruit still dominant, but the roasted note faded a bit and some leather and cedar adding to the mix. A-
1996 Jean Grivot Clos de Vougeot
Very primary, all about the cherry fruit. Needs time to sort itself out. B/B+
2000 Roumier Chambolle-Musigny
Ready and willing. Ripe red fruit, well-balanced, open and giving. Medium-bodied, clean finish. A-/B+
1997 Stonefly Cabernet Franc (Napa)
Ripe redcurrant jelly and a little damp earth. A bit low-acid for my tastes. Arv says he liked it better young. B
Somewhere in the mix the "red wine cheeses" (Hoch Ybrig, Keen's cheddar, Tomme de Savoie) had made their debut. With the blue (Valdeon) and a mango-somethingorother cake, the final wine of the night:
1976 Schloss Eltz Eltviller Sonnenberg Riesling Auslese (Rheingau)
Quite a deal for the $20 or so I paid. Just a hint of petrol, sweet apricot and quince fruit, a bit floral. Nice integrated flavors. A pleasant surprise.B+
Quite a fun evening of friends (and dogs). Betsy was a little unsatisfied with the food, but to me the company was the main thing- even better than the wines. Which showed pretty decently-not one I'd really call a dog....er, a slacker. We missed you Jim!
Afternote: with a tea-rubbed salmon dish (Ming Tsai) tonight, I revisited some of the Pinots. The 7 Springs was my fave tonight, followed by the Roumier. One sip and the '88 Bouchard and the Grivot went to vinegar jar.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency