Keiichi was back from Tokyo for a short visit so Jojo organized a lunch at Keiichi's favorite restaurant with the Usuals. No theme, just bring what you like.
Paul Anheuser Kreuznacher Kanzenberg Gewurztraminer Spatlese 2008 - Arnie brought this from his recent trip to Europe and a visit to the Anheuser winery. Like most German Gewurz, I find this rather light. Not much of the lychee character comes through except at the finish. Mostly orange flavors with highish acidity. A little spicy as well.
Zind Humbrecht Brand Riesling 1989 - Care of Keiichi. Light orange/gold. Medium sweet with a good crispness to it. Finishes with bitter orange marmalade. About perfect now. Excellent.
Chateau Gruaud Larose 1996 - From Jojo. Very dry but fleshy texture. Slightly barnyardy. Good length. This seems like it's as good as it will get. Not too impressed by this.
Chateau Cos d'Estournel 1982 - Another wine from Keiichi. I believe he opened the bottle close to two hours before lunch. Sweet nose, ripe fruit. Voluptuous, soft, rounded and with everything in balance. It's impossible to dissect this wine. Gorgeous wine at peak now. One of my top reds of the year.
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico 2007 - Johnny's contribution. Very sweet nose with sour cherry and chocolate flavors on the palate. The prominent acidity keeps the wine fresh. Quite nice.
Kirlayudvar Cuvee Ilona 2003 - Jojo's wine. Caramel and candied fruit. Extremely sweet but outstanding balance, Not at all cloying or tiring to drink. In fact, rather easy to drink a lot of this. Very fresh with great length. Outstanding.
Chapoutier Les Coufis de Paille de l'Ardeche 2001 -My wine. Deep copper. Rich, caramel, some burnt sugar bitterness. Obvious oxidation. Seemed tired. Unfortunately, far from the previous excellent example I had in January.
Finished around 4 PM but Keiichi had some time to kill before a dinner appointment so we met up at Kipling's Bar at the Mandarin for some Dalmore and Springbank. Keiichi left at 7 but I ended up staying till around 1030 as the regulars kept sending me glass after glass of Glenfiddich 18 and it would have been impolite to refuse.
