Patrick was in town, and a nice group gathered at Balvanera (again) for a dinner.
NV Drappier Les Riceys Rose Brut Nature
Initially a bit warm, but once chilled a delightful snappy bottle of bubbles, cherry and watermelon, brioche, nice finish. B+
First round of food included bacalao croquettas, yellowtail crudo, and gildas
A pair of blind wines. Pretty recognizably Riesling, and we went with Austria and were correct. But not close on age!
Blue rubber band
Lighter color, fresh, young and structured, big, nice petrol notes with minerally finish.
2000 Nikolaihof Vinothek Riesling A-
Yellow Rubber Band
Darker, softer acids, but deep pit fruit , good length, 1990 Nikolaihof Vinothek Riesling B+/B
(many people preferred 1990)
As 4 of us had eaten here Tuesday, we tried the chicken Milanese for first time,and quite enjoyed.
3rd blind white - I believe first guesses were white Burg, Kind fo funky mango meets mint nose, on palate peach and lemon. Good acids, spicy finish. 2020 Enfield Watson Chardonnay B+
Skirt steak,fries, carrots
1988 Jadot Bonnes Mares
Red plum, black cherry, cocoa, and a little leather. Deep, complex, and tangy. A-
1988 Chateau de la Tour Clos Vougeot
Spice, red fruit, a touch of sandalwood, fun. B+
Blind Red - clearly Bordeaux, someone gets Graves, with social engineering hint from Jay (who brought) I’m able to eventually get property, but can’t say I actually recognized wine, though I drunk a case+ back in the day. Black cherry and cassis, smoke, and earth. Herbs and anise. 1990 La Louviere B+/A-
1989 Claret
Next flight we knew were Canon and Magdelaine, but had to guess which were which.
Single Blind St Emilion # 1
Some deep fruit, but deeper maderization. Too bad. 1989 Magdelaine NR
Single Blind St Emilion # 2
Black plum, touch of green pepper, cedar, I’m grooving on this but with time a little TCA makes it’s presence known (but after we guessed Canon), 1989 Canon NR
1989 Pichon Baron
Powerful and rich, still some real tannc structure, but silky texture and very long finish. A-/B+
1989 Pichon Lalande
Very typical, elegant, sweet blackcurrant and plum, cedar, tobacco, just edged by the Baron this night. B+/A-
Some strip steak, a ribeye, mushrooms, and some salad
1989 Cos d’Estournel
Big but a little flat, sweet black fruit, sturdy tannins, low acid. B-
1989 Domaine de Chevalier
Great showing for this, rich black fruit, velvety texture, with complex notes of truffle, poblano, and campfire. Midbodied but great length. A-
1989 Leoville Poyferre
Elegant, thoroughbred, racy and long. B+/A-
1989 Leoville Barton
Blockier, cedary wood, sturdy, some preferred to Poyferre. B
1988 Climens
One of my all time fave vintages of probably my favorite Barsac/Sauternes estate. Peach, apricots, vanilla creme and honey, vibrant acids. A-/B+
Group voting totals
DDC 15
Jadot 11
Baron 9
Poyferre 7
Clos Vouget 6
Louviere 3
Barton 3
Really fun night, Patrick needs to come to town more often.
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.