A group of us went to Palate in Glendale for a little holiday cheer and celebration, and I officially got older.
1993 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon
Lovely way to start the evening. This bottle was gifted to us in Paris and hand carried back to the states. Very clean with little age showing in the color. Crisp citrus flavors, not very rich, but wonderful balance. Guessing this will continue to develop.
2004 Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Chablis Les Clos
We had this with cured pig (a special brand per Palate). Loved this wine. No signs of premox or decline. More toward the richer style of Chablis, but plenty of unmistakable Chablis character: sea shell, citrus, crushed stones. Beautiful pairing.
1985 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne Brut Vintage Reserve
A stunning wine! Great complexity with a distinct truffle note so it was paired with coddled egg and black Perigord truffles. Amazing pairing and worked perfectly. The wine had super length, aromatics for miles and complexity for days.
2005 Louis Jadot Montrachet
My first Montrachet. Tight at first, eventually tropical aromas poured out in addition to crushed flowers and butterscotch. My god, there is amazing depth here. The weight is enormous but not tedious with serious length. No premox issue here. I kept some in the glass for a bout 3 hrs where it only continued to open up and express. I am so grateful to have tried this wine.
2006 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Old Vines Summa
Aromas of dark fruit with baking spice that are deep and lush. The wine has considerable layers of pinot fruit closer to the dark spectrum with considerable depth. Not very complex at this point, but shows some Sonoma Coast character. There is some noticeable oak and slight heat on the back end. This wine needs more time to integrate and develop.
1998 Vincent Girardin Chambolle-Musigny Les Charmes
Popped and poured. Immediately shows some barnyard gaminess warmth interwoven with dark cherry fruits representing a rather complex nose including all spice, cinnamon and forest floor. The oak is just about integrated. A delicious wine that I would be happy to drink anytime, if only I had more.
2001 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée
We wanted another red to have before the cheese course. Not much to say that hasn't already been said. The grippy tannins are still present. The wine is just entering it's drinking window and beginning to show some palate and aroma development. Blood, iodine, garrigue, clove and rich raspberry fruit all present and accounted for. Nice mid palate richness and length, but the finish seems to get disturbed by the tannic grip and acidity. This would have been much better with food.
2008 François Chidaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Demi-Sec Clos Habert
I love this wine year in and year out. We had this with various cow cheeses. It's a remarkable value at $20. The sugar is barely noticeable. Very clean flavors of verbena, pineapple, honey and a floral presence. This coats the palate with a somewhat viscous embrace carrying out the creamy finish. I'm sure this will develop more complexity,but it's so damn good right now. Happy to have several of these tucked away.
2001 Château d'Arche
Good but not great. Pretty good balance of acid and sugar. Plenty of custard laced stone fruits. Good richness in the midpalate. Slightly bitter on the finish. Doesn't have quite the depth and elegance of several other Chateau from this vintage. Seems to be a midterm ager. Still a great value at $40.