Keiichi was in town for a couple of days and requested a lunch at Masseto so we gladly obliged. In attendance were Jojo, Gerry, Arnie, Bernie, Keiichi, and myself. BYOB. There was no coordination on the wines but it turned out Jojo and Keiichi both brought Chateau Rayas' Cotes du Rhone Fonsalette of different vintages while Bernie and Gerry both brought 93 Burgs.
Fonsalette 1998 - Ripe fruit and some meaty notes on the nose. Later on, a bit of toffee as well. The acidity here is rather prominent. Plummy. Dried herbs. Youngish and not quite ready but I think nearly there. Very good.
Fonsalette 1995 - A little pruney on the nose as well as a little heat. The fruit on this is very sweet. Good structure with a firm finish. Probably just peaking now. After an hour, touch of leather and an hour after that, garrigue notes. Very complex. Impressive and outstanding.
Rossignol-Trapet Chapelle Chambertin Grand Cru 1993 - Meaty with a bit of barnyard. Good fruit. A little tough to taste the Burgs after the Rhones. I'm probably missing some nuances on this and the following wines.
Buisson Renard Pouilly Fume 2001 - Still fresh. Orange zest and passion fruit. My type of Sauvignon Blanc.
Jean Grivot Les Beaux Monts Vosne Romanee 1er Cru 1993 - Sweet nose but rather dry wine. Perhaps needs drinking up.
Chateau Gazin 2000 - Classic cedary Bordeaux nose. Rich and plush. Soft tannins. Although still primary at this stage, it's an attractive drink. Excellent.
Tokaji Kiralyudvar Cuvee Ilona 2000 - Shining copper color. Candied fruits and Orange peel. Honey. Well balanced by the acidity, although this has some weight to it, ti sits lightly in the mouth and is rather easy to drink. Very nice with the apple tart and bread pudding.