TN: Christmas Dinner Wines

Went to a friend's place for Christmas Eve dinner last night.

I took a magnum of a modest Entre-deux-mers red Bordeaux, a 2015 Turcaud - drank about as you'd expect, decent and without any imbalances.

Also had a couple of Champagnes, an NV and a 2009, and an interesting American syrah:

2013 Denner Vineyards Syrah - from Paso Robles area. Dark fruit (blueberry?) in the nose and some anise and cocoa notes, and some interesting herbal and floral things happening on palate. Long finish with soft tannin. I dislike American syrahs made in the 'mine-is-bigger-than-yours' style. I liked this one - they have a very decent winemaker!

[David M. Bueker]

IIRC, the winemaker has been there for a while - at least back to 2010.

[Jenise]

Why take a "modest" wine to someone's house for a holiday dinner?

One of my guests was concerned about 'wasting' a wine on the other guests who she deemed unworthy of something better, IOW a $20-40 wine instead of a $50-100 wine (at least among Washington cabs, which is all she has). Frankly, I was pretty insulted. Her wine choice should have been about, and only about, being worthy of the food and wine I'd be serving. (She's been here many times, and knows what I do.)

Why take a "modest" wine to someone's house for a holiday dinner?

Because that is exactly what I was requested to bring. I assume that the host based that on the fact that other than he and myself, no one else was interested in wine. I had offered something much more interesting of course. His response was don't bring anything 'special'. He pulled out the Denner, which I found pretty interesting.

I opened a 1997 Hudelot-Noellat Clos de Vougeot to go with the coq au vin I made for Christmas dinner. It was what one would expect from an excellent producer working with fruit from the better parts of the Clos. Classic Burgundian grand cru flavors and complexity, but a bit tart and austere. This wine may be drying out.

-Paul W.

[Jenise]

Why take a "modest" wine to someone's house for a holiday dinner?

Because that is exactly what I was requested to bring.

Fair enough. Make a note: I'll never tell anyone not to bring something special, especially when I know they have a cellar like yours.

I expect that he didn't want me to bring a special wine as then you would miss out on it!