Short notes from today's Christmas lunch at Je Suis Gourmand.
Before the wine notes let me just say that the appetizer alone, the foie gras gateau with scallops could have been a pretty hefty main course by itself. The roast goose with dumplings and red cabbage was an awesome dish and it was just classic when Chef Marc came out to present the whole goose before carving and said "Gentlemen, your goose is cooked!" Ending it all was a hefty and delicious Christmas log with marrons glaces and chestnut cream, both of which I love. I can't believe we finished all that food in just over an hour!
The notes are very short as I was more intent on enjoying myself and the food than analyzing the wine although I must say all the bottles were pretty amazing. There were many other bottles on the table (Pavie-Macquin and Phelan-Segur 2001, another Burgundy, Rose Champagne, Muscat Beaumes de Venise from what I recall) but in a rare show of restraint, we decided not open them.
Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Rare Champagne NV - Medium-bodied. Rather sweet fruit. Light coffee, white chocolate. Very fresh. Needs age I think but still, very good.
Chateau Trotanoy 1999 - Rich and earthy. Quite complex and many-layered. Sweet fruit. Real easy to drink. Excellent wine at peak now.
La Granja Remelluri Gran Reserva 1999 - Spicy, a bit of curry on the nose. Sweet, foursquare, structured. A little oaky on the finish. Rather modern in style. Very good but should improve and integrate better with a few more years.
Peter Thustrup Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2001 - Very sweet, juicy, strawberry. Very good but doesn't really say Grand Cru to me.
Gunderloch Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling Spaetlese 2003 - I brought this specifically to be paired with the goose. Very sweet, peachy. Lovely, lovely wine. Bordering on Auslese sweetness. Exquisite balance - sweetness tempered by acidity. Amazing juice. This had the heft and flavor to match the goose successfully - I think a better pairing than any red could achieve. Superb.
Chateau La Fleur de Gay 1990 - Sweet, plummy, dried fruits. Still firm. Showing very well now. At peak but should drink nicely for a couple of years. Outstanding.
Chateau La Tour Haut Brion 2001 - Sweet fruit but dry finish. I had this with the cheese which I think was a mistake as the cheese just overwhelmed the wine.
Leon Beyer Gewurztraminer Selection des Grains Nobles 1998 - Medium-gold. Roses, burnt sugar. Unfortunately, not a successful match with the Christmas log as the dessert was way too sweet and heavy for this. Perhaps a port would have been a better match.
Great fun as usual. Looking forward to Christmas dinner with everyone on the 21st.