Friday we had steamed lobster, Chinese broccoli, noodles, and salad. Wine was the 2022 Bzikot “la Rouselle” Puligny-Montrachet. This is a lieu-dit, not a 1er. Pear, lemon, just a hint of oak. Good length, could use just a little more nerve. B
Saturday we headed to NJ for a lovely dinner in a backyard gazebo.
Iberico ham and a couple of cheeses, wonderful goat butter
2006 Moet et Chandon Dom Perignon
Good acidic zip, sweet green apple and lemon curd, big, long finish. B+
2004 Moet et Chandon Dom Perignon P2
Large scale, almonds and brioche with sweet pear fruit, probably table favorite but I thought it lacked a little zip compared to others.
2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires
Chalk, peach, toast, you can taste the dosage but acids balance it out. B+
Main was a delicious porchetta , with rich potatoes and asparagus
1981 CVNE Imperial Rioja Gran Reserva
Utterly classic Rioja, red cherries accented with smoke, cumin, and a little coconut oil. Complex and long. A-/A
1996 Aldo Conterno, Granbussia Riserva Barolo
(he double decanted in afternoon)I actually have some of this (we realized Ben and I actually split a lot with friends), was disappointed at first with a very sour palate, though nose was good. But just a bit more air in glass led to huge improvement- the fruit sweetened and palate filled out. Black cherries, floral notes, truffles, just a little tarry note. Full and long. A-
1990 Campogiovanni San Felice Brunello di Montalcino
(also double decanted before travel). Dark berry fruit, moderate acids, smooth tannins, some mocha and floral tones. B+/B
2007 Jadot Bonnes Mares
Open, light plum and cherry, some wood, moderate length. Perfectly fine but a little disappointing as a Grand Cru. B/B-
1990 Lynch Bages
We really didn’t need more, but who says no? Cassis, leather, cigarbox. Powerful young wine. B+
Really fun night, and I had Betsy to drive me home.
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.
