Notes from Tuesday night dinner at Restaurant 101 with Ines, Arnie, Bel, Marly and Johnny.
Champagne Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Rare NV - Peppery, sourdough and light smoke. Full, and complex. There's a touch of coffee when it gets warm. Very nice now but I think more to come with age.
Domaine Paul Pillot Bourgogne Aligote 2007 - I had this last week and didn't really like it. Nice nose but very acidic. We asked for some Creme de Cassis and made Kir out of this.
Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron 1999 - Second night in a row to try this wine. Earth, leather, mushroom, sweet fruit, tobacco. Spicy.Long, dry finish. Quite good but the consensus was that this was just past best drinking. Pretty much the same as the previous night's bottle although this was just a little more firm.
Charles Melton Nine Popes 2001 - Berry confit. Very sweet nose. Soft and real easy to drink. Looks like this is at peak now.
Rotllan Torra Reserva 2004 - From Priorat. Very sweet nose but there's a bit of a wet rag stink underneath. Sweet fruit. Plummy. Chocolate covered raisins. Big, rich wine. Arnie said it reminded him of Amarone and I agree. There's a streak of acidity on the finish to frame it but this is pretty international in style.
Tanglewood Cabernet Merlot 2005 - From Australia. Graciously opened for us by restaurant manager Chad Davis. Woody and quite sweet. Not really coming together. I doubt this will get better with time.
I also brought a dessert wine but the label was pretty badly torn up. My best guess was that it was:
Chateau de la Genaiserie Coteaux du Layon 1995 - Rich, very balanced. Good acidity. Not super sweet but good enough with my cheesecake. Honey and brown sugar. Perhaps a little weak on the finish but still, very enjoyable.