I was home not working for first Christmas Eve in a while, so we decided to host a Feast of the Seven (plus) Fishes.
As folks arrived
NV Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Light and fresh, lemon and green apple, nice aperitif B/B+
Oysters on half shell (Dale)
2008 F. Cotat Monts Damnes Sancerre
Bright, tensile, rich lemon fruit, seashells. B+/A-
Salt cod fritters with curry aioli (Dale, Betsy helped with frying)
NV Seleque Solessence Rose
Snappy red strawberry fruit, orange zest, pumpernickel bread. B+
Cod and kimchi stew (Cal)
2003 Ch, de Fieuzal Blanc
Ripe sweet pit fruits, good acid for vintage, some vanilla. OK, some people’s fave. B/B-
Anchovy pasta (Cal)
1997 Jadot Corton Pougets
Mature and ready, but not tired. Round red fruits, forest floor, Earl Grey tea. I don’t usually like ‘97s that much, but Jadot always does well, though this won’t be the longest lived Corton. B+/B
Fritto misto (Betsy, Dana helped with frying)
NV Benoit Lahaye Blanc de Blancs
Dry, crisp, vibrant, with tart fruit and puff pastry note. B+
Crab Cakes with remoulade (Ron)
2008 Piuze Les Clos Chablis GC
Rich but so electric, vivid acids underlying rich grapefruit and green apple, long long chalky finish. A-/A
Whole striped bass (Dale) with broccoli rabe (Betsy)
2020 Hatzidakis Cuvee 15 Assyrtiko
Full, sweet fruit, underlying acid but this needs time. B/B- at moment.
Tiramisu (Nancy)
Fun fun night with a great group.
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.