Anabelle Cruse Bardinet from Ch. Corbin was in town, and my friend Mark arranged a dinner at Benoit. A nice group gathered, we started with gougeres and a couple bubblies.
2004 Pascal Doquet Premier Cru Vertus Champagne
Crisp, citrus and green apple framed by bread dough, very nice. B+
1995 Henriot Brut Champagne-
Strange cheesey note, declared corked by more sensitive
Tarte flambee was my favorite part of the meal.
2011 Divin de Corbin
Angular, unfriendly, green notes, not my fave. C+
2012 Ch. Corbin
Fairly full, round, ready to go, plummy. B
2010 Ch. Corbin
Anabelle likes, but this seems roasted/pruney to me, and comes across as hot for my tastes. C+/B-
A sturdy sweet French onion soup was my next course
2008 Ch. Corbin
Lovely, elegant, balanced. B+
2005 Ch. Corbin
Big, tannic, this is going to be good but needs time, B+/A- (but B for drinking now)
2001 Ch. Corbin
My favorite of the Corbin, complex, rich but fresh, delicious. A-/B+
I had halibut with mushrooms and kale with a meurette sauce
1976 Ridge Montebello
This was declared corked
1994 Ridge Montebello
Rich, full, yet only 12.7 degrees. Cassis, smoke, mineral/seashell. A-
1973 BV George de la Tour Cabernet Sauvignon
I opened a ‘76 Jordan that was hideously corked, this was only other old CaliCab I had standing up. Opened (plenty of slushy sediment) and double decanted- there’s a whiff of oxidation but some fruit, But it sat open a long time at restaurant, maderized. We discussed how the BVs don’t seem to have survived as well as other 70s CaliCabs.
1975 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon
I liked this more than others. Tight, yes, but a real solid core underneath. Suave and burly at same time. A-/B+
1992 Stony Hill Chardonnay
Weird showing, quite advanced compared to last bottle, then it seemed to freshen up a bit in glass. Nutty, marzipan notes over sweet fruit, then more oxidized notes reappeared. Not good bottle
1966 Ch. La Conseillante
Funny vinyl note on nose, better on palate, red fruit and cocoa, ok but overshadowed by the ‘71. B/B-
1971 Ch. La Conseillante
I love 71 RB, and this is a superb example. Plush black fruits, truffle, mocha. Classic Pomerol at perfect stage. A-A-
1959 Ch l’ Angelus
What a shame, maderized bottle
OK some off bottles, barely ok food, well-intentioned but spotty service. Still, fun night- Anabelle (and rest of group) a delight, some brilliant wines.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. 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.