Notes on Friday's wines at Cafe Ysabel in celebration of Aaron's birthday.
Freixenet Cava Casa Sala Gran Reserva Brut Nature 2004 - Fine bead. Lemon-gold. Full-bodied but very dry. Lemon rind. Clipped finish. Muted flavors. I was hoping for a bit more from this.
Champagne Henri Abele Brut 1996 - Light gold. Very lemony. Slightly oxidative. Light to medium bodied. Solid Champagne for those who prefer it light, but not a style I favor.
Forts de Latour 1982 - Soft, tobacco leaf, sweet fruit. A little earthy. Much fuller than I expected from a 22 year old wine. Dried cherries. Very good. Possibly just past peak. I would drink this up if I had any.
Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1989 - Lovely nose. A little minty. Sweet fruit. Some candy, meaty. Soft tannins with acidity providing the structure. Beautiful wine. Excellent.
CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva 1988 - Caramel and a little leafy on the nose. Rather spicy. The acidity is a bit aggressive if drunk without any food but fortunately it provided a great foil against the fatty rabo de toro. Best with food.
Chateau Le Bon Pasteur 2000 - Sweet nose, sweet and rich. Quite dark. Full and mouth-filling. Lush and soft. Seems like it could develop a bit more although it is a very attractive wine now. Possible better in 3 years or so but very good now.
Rolly Gassmann Riesling 2006 - Deep gold color. Looks like a dessert wine. Honeyed nose. Suggestion of apricot and other flavors associated with botrytised wine but it is only very lightly sweet. More of an aperitif wine in my opinion and, to my taste, not strong enough for the dessert.
Gonzalez-Byass Pedro Ximenez Muy Viejo 30 Anos "Noe" - Very raisiny. Bitte chocolate, espresso, hint of caramel. Very sweet but also great balance. Not cloying at all with some bitter burnt sugar edge on the finish providing contrast to the sweetness. Outstanding.
Dominus 1995 - I already had a double espresso before this wine was opened. I said I wouldn't really be able to do it justice but Greg insisted it be opened. Hot on the nose. Very difficult to taste. Not much flavor. I thought the coffee was interfering with my ability to taste but the consensus around the table was that it was most definitely corked.
Lots of fun and laughs with the great wines. Thanks and Happy Birthday again to Aaron!
