WTN: Bdx and Burg with Arv in Sacramento

Saturday we went to dinner at the home of my old Bordeaux-buddy Arvind. Great to see Arv and Jen again, and to meet the adorable 15 month old twins. They had some nice snacks, breads, and cheeses out, which we enjoyed with the 1991 Drouhin Meursault-Perrieres 1er. Still plenty of life here, mature but not fading, but not the most complex bottle of mature white Burg around. Apple, hazelnut, moderate acidity, so-so length. Good, and I didn’t pay much, but nothing to look for. B

As Arv got grill going, we sampled the 1988 Ch. Maucaillou (Moulis). Fresh, dark color, shows quite Cabernet-ish. Cassis, tobacco (green and cured), leather. Pretty good finish, nice wine where those ‘88 tannins have resolved nicely. B+

With leg of lamb with rosemary (mint jelly on side), a great green salad, sweet potatoes, and green beans, the 1982 La Dominique (St Emilion). I’ve always enjoyed this, but this bottle seems especially good. Not necessarily fresher, more complex, or longer than the Moulis, but that ‘82 sweetness and lushness really stands out. Really lovely, great on a nice night on patio (this year Sacramento is amazingly temperate) with old friends.A-/B+

After dinner Betsy helped Jenn put Meribel and Ilsa to bed, then we enjoyed a small glass of the Fonseca Bin 27. Chocolate covered cherries, sweet but nott cloying, really good for a vintage character port. B

Good night with old firiends (and new friends, though Ilsa burst in tears at my presence at first).

usual disclaimers apply