Monday was ovo-vegetarian fried rice (oyster mushrooms, baby Shanghai cabbage, etc) with the 2013 Schloss Gobelsburg “Gobelsburger“ Riesling. I thought this was actually a GV till I tasted and looked at label). Citrus, pineapple, ginger. Dry, good acids, good value. B
Tuesday a nice group gathered at St. George in Hastings to celebrate the 10th anniversary of SOBER. I checked notes of 3/29/06 to see what wines were served at inaugural dinner - none that I owned, but carried a ‘79 Drouhin (standin for a ‘79 Drouhin Chambertin de Beze) and a ‘96 CaliChard ( standin for a ‘96 Peter Michael). Arrived to find our group a bit smaller than anticipated (couple last minute cancellations due to an illness) but those that made it had a great time.
Restaurant had us a table in a private room, food was perfect for occasion- straightforward well-done bistro food. As people gathered we had the
1996 Mt. Eden Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mtns)
Fairly deep color, but while mature not tired. Nutty nose, on the palate ripe fruits and lemon curds, good backbone for 20 year old Cali Chard. Craig and Cathleen both got Cali immediately, but people were thinking Stony Hill. Very good and holds up through night. B+
Once everyone was there, restaurant brought out (family style) escargots, charcuterie (duck pate, jambon de Bayonne, chicken liver mousse and accompaniment), and steamed mussels in a curry sauce.
NV Bereche Champagne (2012 disgorgement)
Fresh and lively, some structure, lots of citrus zest over a core of apple (not an apple core). On second taste there’s more of a warm brioche note. Good stuff. B+
1976 Lafon Meursault-Perrieres 1er
This was served pretty cold, and didn’t show much at first, but turned into a truly lovely wine.
We all were guessing younger. First guesses were top Chablis. Sweet white pit fruits, hazelnut, crisp and minerally. A-
2006 Jadot Batard-Montrachet
An off bottle. Some differences as to why- to me seemed oddly cheesy- a kind of lactic meets funk. More sensitive people declared it corked, and they’re probably right Too bad!
2008 Jobard “En La Barre” Meursault
Also a bit too cold initially, this was very good and I wished I’d spent more time with it. Pears, lots of citrus, very good acids, rich. B+/A-
Next was ricotta dumplings with an amazing oyster mushroom/black garlic/sage sauce
(when well with both white and red Burgs)
2007 Dujac “Combottes” Gevrey-Chambertin 1er
This was only blind to Cathleen who arrived last. She immediately got Burg but guessed older. 2007 really seem to be drinking quite well already. Raspberries, cocoa/mocha, some herb. A little oaky but drinking well. B+/B
1979 Drouhin Clos de Mouches” Beaune 1er
Plenty of life left. Red cherries, spice, sandalwood, a touch of earth. Good acids, on the delicate/feminine side but not fragile, very happy with this. A-/B+
My main was Duck Leg Confit with potatoes and Brussels sprouts, others had artic char, coq au vin, & steak frites - consensus was everything was done very well.
I’ll confess I wasn’t spitting- Betsy was picking me up at the end, and I’m starting a diet today that means 9+ days without wine, So notes are basically illegible on final two. Oops.
1993 Jadot “Clos de la Barre” Volnay 1er
I got ‘93 due to the acids - fresh to me, too sharp for Michael. Red fruits, coffee, something illegible.
B+/B?
1988 Haut-Brion
Michael guessed Graves quickly. I was then guessing Pape-Clement, oops. Lovely full wine with an elegance I wouldn’t have expected from the vintage. Good acids, manageable tannins, black fruits with cigarbox and leather. A-/B+
A nice cheese plate (Epoisses, Mobier, Roquefort, Tomme de Savoie, couple others) rounded off evening.
Great night with great group
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PPv-fjXZKnY0bVzr0YYMGmiLyC2JjDkYfQ/view?usp=sharing
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.
