With stirfried tofu and spicy eggplant, the 2007 Willi Schaefer Graccher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett #7. Nice interplay of sweetness and acids. Yes, this should age, and maybe it was a tad mute at first,but if closed it opened nicely- more like blossomed. Fresh green apple, apple blossoms, slate, ginger. Classic Willi S- light, nervy, crystalline goodness. A-
Our old friend Arv was in town, we descended on La Sirene to greet him and Jenn. Betsy and I were late (a combination of traffic and a stop at Chelsea Wine Storage), but the Californians and Ramon and Marina were gracious about it. A really pleasant night- I really liked my chevre tart and Betsy's octopus, my hanger steak was fine and Betsy's cassoulet tasty (she knew it a bit unusual for a warm night, but craved it). An old college friend of Arv's joined us partway through. Nice lineup of wines.
2009 Pascal Cotat "Les Monts Damnes" Sancerre
Ripe, full, with citrus and tropical fruits. But dancing in and out of my range of perception is a hint of damp cardboard. I go back and forth, but eventually conclude this is mildly corked (don't think anyone else agreed).
1998 Closel (Ch.des Vaults) "Clos du Papillon" Savennieres
Young, vibrant, dry, waxy. Nice dry Chenin. B+
1986 Tertre Roteboeuf
Some solid dark fruit, but just a hint of turning pruney. Low acids, still some slightly raspy tannins. B-
1989 Magdelaine
Double-decanted about 3 PM. Full, long, black cherry and plum fruit, hint of cigarbox, dense but agile, good acids, fine tannins, nice length. Could use some more time, but tied for my WOTN. A-
1988 Pape Clement
I approach this with a little trepidation recalling a brettbomb (actually great impression of a sewage plant) a few years ago, but this isn't bretty at all. A bit stern, but typical Graves notes of tobacco and gravel over some solid black fruit. Like most '88s, don't this is ever going to top the elegance charts, but a nice bottle of muscular Bordeaux. B+
1997 Jamet Cote-Rotie
I really don't know much about '97 in northern Rhone. but this is absolutely lovely, very classically styled. Big ripe red fruit, bacon fat, herbs. Nice length. Drinking well. Tie for WOTN, A-
2002 Rauzan Segla
Dark fruit, lead pencil, moderate tannins. Not bad, but not exciting. B/B-
2005 Zind-Humbrecht "Rotenberg" Pinot Gris Selection de Grains Nobles
(375 ml)
I bought this mainly because of a charity tie-in, but I'm pretty impressed. Dense, thick, sweet, but more acidity than I might expect from ZH keeps it from being cloying. Apricot, superripe peaches,.honied botrytis flavors. Doesn't take much! A-/B+
Good night with good people.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency