Smoked Salmon on Toast by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
I arrived early and was quickly followed by Aaron and Noel. While waiting for the others to show up we got started with a bottle of Champagne Laurent-Perrier Brut Millésimé 2002. A medium-bodied, fresh and slightly creamy champagne with some toasty notes. Drinking well now but I think this still has some upside. So far, the best bottle of this wine I’ve tried.
Champagne Laurent-Perrier Brut Millesime 2002 by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
Noel preferred a white this evening so he opened a Paul Pernot Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2005. Initially very acidic, it needed about an hour in the glass to start opening up. Although still a little tart, the sweetness of orchard fruit with a touch of buttery oak tempered the wine’s steeliness.
Paul Pernot Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2005 by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
Jojo’s preference was also for a white as he brought a JL Chave Hernitage Blanc 1998. A slightly sherried/oxidized nose giving way to a waxy, honey and custard palate. Perhaps just slightly over-the-hill but still a magnificent wine for current drinking.
JL Chave Hermitage Blanc 1998 by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
Done with the whites, we went with a couple of reds from Keiichi and Arnie. First up was Keiichi’s Chateau Montrose 1989. Soft but packed with flavor, this is about perfect now, showing notes of leather, black berries and cocoa powder. Although excellent at this point, it has a lot of years left in it.
Chateau Montrose 1989 by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
Arnie’s Chateau de Beaucastel 2000 was also showing particularly well this evening. The typical Beaucastel barnyard stink coming through but more muted compared to other examples I’ve had in the past. This is a fleshy wine with fine, soft tannins. A mixture of black and red berries with dried herbs are the dominant flavors. This is already enjoyable now.
Chateau de Beaucastel 2000 by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
To go with the first set of wines I had an interesting Moroccan tomato and chestnut soup and shared some of the squash flower salad. My main course was a well made Roasted Pork Belly with Boudin Noir. I wish there was a bit more pork, though.
Moroccan Chestnut Soup by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
Salad of Deep Fried Squash Blossoms by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
Pork Belly with Boudin Noir by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
As if making up for lost time, Keiichi insisted on more wine and so he produced a Livio Sasseti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino 1988. No objections here as it’s been a while since I’ve had an aged Brunello. A beautiful wine. Sweet dried fruits, tobacco leaf and a hint of coffee grounds are framed by soft, dusty tannins. Another wine at peak and drinking great.
Pertimali Sasseti Livio Brunello di Montalcino 1988 by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
We also had some cheese to nibble on for any additional bottles.
Cheese Plate by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
If there’s some influence I’ve had on Keiichi wine-wise, is his love of Champagne so now he insists on having more than one bottle every dinner to satisfy his craving. After the Brunello he produced a Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 1988 which, unfortunately was completely flat. Not to be deterred, he ordered a bottle of Delamotte Brut NV which was rapidly consumed so that a second bottle was called for.
Although I suggested a nightcap of some single malt at either Kipling’s or Bar M but most decided that a little bit more than a bottle per person was enough for one night.