From dinner last night at Tapenade.
Jean Vesselle Brut Reserve NV - Half bottle of champagne to start things off. Full-bodied and on the sweeter end of brut but no complaints here. Went particularly well with a gazpacho.
Penfolds Bin 389 1998 - This was the first wine I bought in case quantity. I still have 3 bottles after last night. Five years ago this wine trumped 3 recent vintages of Grange at a Penfolds tasting so I had high hopes for this. Fleshy, plump wine but the fruit is subdued. Strong mint on the nose. Touch of earth with black olive and chocolate dominating. Still excellent but at least for this bottle, I feel it's just a little past peak. Good pair for the porcini crusted rib eye.