With a nice dish of tamari/hoisin tofu over soba in a ginger/scallion sauce, the 2012 Lauer Barrel X Riesling. Nice balanced off-dry wine, citrus and melon, vibrant acids, excellent value B+
I had missed last time Ramon organized a Filipino dinner, so was happy that he agreed to do again. Theme this time was Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and a nice group converged on Pan de Sal near Gramercy Park. Once everyone gathered we started with lumpia -small fried spring rolls (very tasty). We had some Riesling starters
1994 Zilliken (Formeister Geltz) Saarburger Rausch Riesling Spatlese
OK, should have brought a Durand. Cork was crumbly, but thoroughly adhered to neck. After 5 minutes what I had was a hole burrowed through middle- so we had “restricted pourer” But wine itself was fine- light color, nervy Saar acids, lime fruit, slatey finish. Not super long, but quite tasty. B+/A-
2008 Lauer “Fass 9 -Kern” Riesling
This surprised me by being comparatively soft and creamy, nice creamsicle flavors. B
2010 Lauer “Fass 9 -Kern” Riesling
Full, rich, but with nice acidic backbone. Quite long. B+/A-
Next course was sisig (spicy pork belly, jowl, and liver) - a bit spicier than ideal for the reds, but man was this good.
1998 Ch. de la Gardine Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Mature, ready, a touch of heat, pleasant. I just found one of these in cellar and will put in queue. B
1989 Pegau Reservee Chateauneuf-du-Pape
There’s some cow pasture here, but also red fruits, flowers, and spice. Nicely balanced, drinking well, thanks Ramon A-
Next up a pair of Vieux Donjons
2001 Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Beguiling nose of plums and cocoa. Some thought thin on palate, but I thought palate was fine, though not up to standards of the aromatics. B+
2007 Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape
I found this kirschy and overripe, with some heat. C/C+
Around here we had some kaldereta (beef stew)
Paul had brought a blind wine. Someone guessed 2003, but I thought this tasted older and guessed a so-so mid 90s vintage. Plummy, a bit of heat, a bit volatile, this is tired/cracking up. It’s the 2003 Clos de Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape. I didn’t like, but didn’t think as extreme as it’s rep. C+
Next a pair of Henri Bonneau wines
2001 Bonneau Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Midbodied, red fruits, pleasant. B
1997 Bonneau Cuvee Marie Beurrier Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Not much ‘97 experience in a long while, this was a very pleasant surprise. Most elegant bottle of the night, herbs and spice over cherry fruit, nice finish. A-/B+
There was an eggplant dish that was supposed to be stuffed with beef, but tasted more like eggplant with egg, I liked in any case. And some tasty noodles. Final dish was roast pork but I really was full by then. Last flight was all Beaucastel
1998 Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Ripe verging on overripe, jammy, a bit gamey. Not my least favorite of night, but biggest disappointment. B-
1999 Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Darker fruit, earth, a little animal, drinking well. B
2001 Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Ripe fruit, a bit of alcohol but not really sticking out,dusty earth notess, most potential (actually only wine I really thought might improve from here) B+
Dessert people had flan, mango, cake, etc. Restaurant did a nice job, nice 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.
