Short notes on the wines served at last the International Wine and Food Society Board meeting:
Champagne Perle d'Ayala 2002 - Lightish and lemony. Very refreshing, if a bit tart. Not really the style of Champagne I like but still, a good way to whet the appetite.
Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 - From magnum, popped and poured. Funky, minty, earth, camphor medicinal/antiseptic and after a couple of hours, barnyardy nose. Quite expressive and surely not to everyone's taste but I thought it was very interesting and rather good. Full and rich. The fruit has given way to earth, chocolate, coffee and leather. The acidity stands out a bit but that's OK as it gives the wine structure since the tannins are already soft. Good length.Well rounded with lots of layered complexity. At peak now but not likely to decline any time soon. Outstanding wine and my wine of the night.
William Fevre Le Clos Chablis Grand Cru 2004 - Stony, dry, austere. Rather boring. The nose got better with some vague citrus scents as the wine warmed up but otherwise nothing to see here.
Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - From magnum, popped and poured. Blackcurrant, blackberry, blueberry and just a hint of prune. The fruit here is quite sweet and ripe. More linear and leaner than the 1998 with medium (+) body. Not quite ready but with the porcini and steak, pretty approachable. While a very well made and rather polished wine, it lacked the character and depth of the 1998. Still, very good.
Domaine Huet Cuvee Constance 2009 - Honey and caramel mixed in with pineapple, green apple, peach and candied orange peel. A surprisingly light and very drinkable wine. The lift provided by the considerable acidity contrasts and balances the sweetness beautifully. Outstanding and candidate for wine of the night but I thought the Dunn 1998 was more interesting.
Many thanks to our host, Jojo, who graciously provided all the wines.