WTN: Monday night indulgence

Dinner with David last night; a spread of North Indian food (homemade dal makhani, pan-seared chicken tikka and paneer, accompanied by an array of takeout naan and kulcha from the local Indian restaurant) and a few tremendous wines.

2010 P-U-R Morgon
Remarkably light on its feet (11.5% alcohol!) and pure; it's not particularly complex or layered but is all about refreshment and fresh, bright strawberried fruit. Very nice.

1983 Château La Mission Haut-Brion
Popped and poured. First impressions are pleasant; a powerful scent of leather and tobacco and a high-toned quality to the fruit with bright acids, but initially not showing the depth or finesse I'd expect from a LMHB. But with time those emerge as the acidity integrates nicely and the texture becomes more silken, and this starts to unfurl in the glass with layers of developed savoury earthy flavours, cigar smoke and herbal nuances emerging around the core of fresh, dark fruit. There's tremendous balance here, power conveyed with finesse and elegance, and this is a wonderful wine to sit down with and enjoy over a few hours.

2001 Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile 375eme Anniversaire
Like the LMHB, it doesn't wow immediately, but this is another wine that needs time to explore its layers - with air it shows layers of pure, fresh citrus and pear fruit accented by light herbal notes, a vivid stony minerality and a surprising savoury creaminess that makes it come across quite rich, even though there's apparently barely any residual sugar. There's that typical Trimbach sense of precision and focus here, fantastic depth with layers that keep unravelling with time, and remarkable length.

2001 Dönnhoff Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Auslese
Flat out wow. This is incredible; a kaleidoscope of Riesling fruit ranging from ripe pears and peaches to fresh mandarin oranges, gently seasoned with herbal and spicy elements, touches of honey and a stony mineral character. There's a sense of remarkable purity and clarity to the flavours, incredible balance with really bright acidity beneath that balances the sweetness and keeps it very light and refreshing, and a finish that just keeps going and going. A tremendous way to finish a trio of amazing wines.

[David M. Bueker]

Thanks for posting your thoughts. I have to agree pretty much across the board, which makes sense since we talked so much about all of the wines. The mid-palate richness of the Trimbach and the back-end acidity of the Donnhoff both really caught my attention. All three of the "big boys" needed some air.

Both of the whites seem pretty much ready to go, though neither is in any danger of falling off of a cliff for at least another 10 years IMO.

I was surprised at how well balanced that Morgon was. Loved the strawberry tones that I got on the palate.

Dinner with David last night; a spread of North Indian food (homemade dal makhani, pan-seared chicken tikka and paneer, accompanied by an array of takeout naan and kulcha from the local Indian restaurant) and a few tremendous wines.

2010 P-U-R Morgon
Remarkably light on its feet (11.5% alcohol!) and pure; it's not particularly complex or layered but is all about refreshment and fresh, bright strawberried fruit. Very nice.

Was this the Côte du Py? That's what I've got (well, what I've got waiting for me in a warehouse in Alameda) or was there a plain Morgon made as well?

1983 Château La Mission Haut-Brion
Popped and poured. First impressions are pleasant; a powerful scent of leather and tobacco and a high-toned quality to the fruit with bright acids, but initially not showing the depth or finesse I'd expect from a LMHB. But with time those emerge as the acidity integrates nicely and the texture becomes more silken, and this starts to unfurl in the glass with layers of developed savoury earthy flavours, cigar smoke and herbal nuances emerging around the core of fresh, dark fruit. There's tremendous balance here, power conveyed with finesse and elegance, and this is a wonderful wine to sit down with and enjoy over a few hours.

You guys don't fool around, do you? That's a "special occasion" wine for me! Nothing wrong with those two Rieslings, either!

Mark Lipton

[David M. Bueker]

Dinner with David last night; a spread of North Indian food (homemade dal makhani, pan-seared chicken tikka and paneer, accompanied by an array of takeout naan and kulcha from the local Indian restaurant) and a few tremendous wines.

2010 P-U-R Morgon
Remarkably light on its feet (11.5% alcohol!) and pure; it's not particularly complex or layered but is all about refreshment and fresh, bright strawberried fruit. Very nice.

Was this the Côte du Py? That's what I've got (well, what I've got waiting for me in a warehouse in Alameda) or was there a plain Morgon made as well?

The Cote du Py.

1983 Château La Mission Haut-Brion
Popped and poured. First impressions are pleasant; a powerful scent of leather and tobacco and a high-toned quality to the fruit with bright acids, but initially not showing the depth or finesse I'd expect from a LMHB. But with time those emerge as the acidity integrates nicely and the texture becomes more silken, and this starts to unfurl in the glass with layers of developed savoury earthy flavours, cigar smoke and herbal nuances emerging around the core of fresh, dark fruit. There's tremendous balance here, power conveyed with finesse and elegance, and this is a wonderful wine to sit down with and enjoy over a few hours.

You guys don't fool around, do you? That's a "special occasion" wine for me! Nothing wrong with those two Rieslings, either!

Monday Night Football was on.

You guys don't fool around, do you? That's a "special occasion" wine for me! Nothing wrong with those two Rieslings, either!

Mark Lipton

Same here - La Miss is one of those producers that I have an incredible regard for, and rarely ever open them. Usually special occasion wines, though I figured I wanted to enjoy a bottle or two of that caliber where the wine was the occasion.

Aside: was enjoying leftovers of the PUR Morgon (Cote du Py), and it's even more enjoyable the second night with light floral and earthy elements emerging alongside the fruit. The lightness and bright acid spine makes it feel remarkably similar to a Clos Roche Blanche!

[David M. Bueker]

Aside: was enjoying leftovers of the PUR Morgon (Cote du Py), and it's even more enjoyable the second night with light floral and earthy elements emerging alongside the fruit. The lightness and bright acid spine makes it feel remarkably similar to a Clos Roche Blanche!

Them's fightin' words (somewhere...not here).