On my last night in DC I went to Palena with a small group to open up some Burgundy and Champagne. A wonderful dinner on all accounts. Thanks to the Palena staff for letting us stay so late!
- NV Roland Champion Champagne Brut Rosé - France, Champagne, Chouilly, Champagne
This is incredibly energetic and mull of crisp minerals, melons and wild strawberry. The body was powerful and had some yeasty notes...but this was a more mineral and fruit focused champagne. - 1985 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne Brut Rosé Rare - France, Champagne
For me, this seemed to be at the perfect spot. While it had zip and energy to the palate, it wasn't overly bubbly or tense. The suppleness on the palate came across very elegantly...showing strawberry cream tones, some hazelnut, fresh herbs, and a nice minerality. Everything was in balance and this was just a treat to try. - 2002 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Cote de Bouguerots - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru
Nice chalky minerals with floral elements and fresh melons. The weight this wine has without being overbearing is just lovely. One of the better Chablis locations year-after-year. - 2010 Domaine Pierre de la Grange (Luneau-Papin) Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Vieilles Vignes - France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine
This has a nice, fresh, profile. It seemed to have a lot of chalk, spring flowers while an undercurrent of "tidal pool" tones ran beneath. Drank this with some ceviche and it was the perfect compliment. - 1989 Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon
Beautiful Cabernet Franc. Expressive leather, dried fruit and floral tones mix with earthy mushroom and dried tobacco notes. The palate is mature and elegant with lithe earthy tones and a wonderfully feminine potpourri note. I could drink this all day long. - 2001 Domaine Truchot-Martin Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
This was slow-ix'd for about 8 hours before dinner. This had an incredibly delicate, feminine profile with a potpourri-like nose of dried red florals, warm spices and dried leaves. The body had beautiful floral characteristics that were elegant and fresh. Overall, I enjoyed this very much - it was overpowered by some of the other wines at the table, but held its own and is an A+ 1er in my book. - 2001 Denis Mugneret Père et Fils Richebourg - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Richebourg Grand Cru
This had about 8 hours of air before dinner. Everything about this wine was powerful. It had aromas of dry-aged meat, dark spices, cranberry, dried leaves and leather - one of the more nuanced and complex noses I've come across of late. The palate was equally as complex. Layers of dried florals, hung meat, mushrooms, dried leaves and cranberry. The density of flavor on the palate was intense, but the mouthfeel remained airy and lithe - the perfect combination. Loved this wine, and while it's enjoyable now, will surely hold up for a long time. - 2001 Pierre Damoy Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
This was even big and meaty for a Clos de Beze! The oak was obvious on the nose and palate...which helped turn this wine into the brute that it was. Layered flavors of meat, clove spice, cranberries, dried florals and mushroom are somewhat cloaked in the oak. I wonder how this will age over the next 5-7 years...will the oak shed away exposing the elegant palate, or will it just remain a big and blocky pinot? - 2004 Alois Kracher Welschriesling TBA #2 Zwischen den Seen - Austria, Burgenland, Neusiedlersee
Great stuff. Botrytis elements on the nose with apricot, fresh linen, peach and pineapple. The palate was viscous but remained fresh and balanced with nice acidity on the finish. A really beautiful wine from Kracher.
Nice lineup of wines, Matt. Good luck on your relocation.