A nice group met at Talia in Port Chester for a Right Bank dinner Thursday. Initially concentrating on 2005, 2000, and 1998, theme spread a bit. A nice hamachi sashimi was a fun greeting.
2002 Roederer Cristal
This was corked, now that’s not a fun greeting!
Blind White #1- I was in Graves, but thought at least 25 years old, though oak was still apparent, Good acids, lemon zest, distinct oxidative notes. Premox in white Bdx still lives. 2009 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc B-/B
Crisp polenta with mushrooms and smoked garlic cream
2005 Ch. Clos Fourtet
Others liked this more than I did. Black plum (edging toward prune), coffee, vanilla. I think blind I would have guessed CA. Others enjoyed B-
1998 Ch. Pavie
This is modern but actually balanced and not OTT. Black cherry, touch of espresso, nice silky texture. Good length. B+
2000 Ch. Pavie
This however has passed the limit for me. Some heat, tar, kirsch and creme de cassis. Not my style. C+/B-
Blind Red #1 - Decent acids, plum and cassis, Ross guesses exact wine right off the bat (he does know the cellar of the guy who brought).. Midbodied, decent character, I have one of these and am relieved it’s not OTT. 1998 Ch. Pavie Macquin B
Pizza with soppressata
Blind White #2 - I was totally lost here- wax, guava, and caramel, I made my worse guess of the year with Chenin. But others (including a Master Sommelier) didn’t get much closer, with Cotat guesses. No one went white Burgundy. 2004 Carillon Perriere Puligny-Montrachet. 1er., C+/B-
1998 Ch. Tertre Roteboeuf
Ripe black plum and cherry fruit, some smoked meat, a little scorched earth. Nice texture/mouthfeel and good length,could use time. I liked more than I expected. B/B+
1990 Ch. Tertre Roteboeuf
This was a bit dirty and had some roasted character, though it wasn’t awful. Decent finish. B-
Pappardelle with braised lamb, onion, pecorino (all the food was excellent, but this and the polenta were my favorite dishes)
1995 Vieux Chateau Certan
Drinking well, silky and lush yet maintaining structure. Black plum, cassis, and graphite, cedary with air. A-/B+
Blind Red # 2 Some vanilin oak, cigarbox, mocha over ripe redder fruits, midmodern but nice. 1995 Ch. Angelus B+
“Breakfast” duck confit hash with sunny side up egg (good, but the egg is not a wine match, though duck was)
1990 Ch. Trotanoy
Couple people thought this a little off, but I liked it. Muscular, tannic, with black plums, smoked meat, and just a hint of barnyard. B+/A-
Blind Red #3 - mine so no guesses. Guesses concentrated on Magdelaine and Evangile. Elegant, Burgundian., black cherry and raspberry with soil tones, hint of truffle and pencil lead.. 1982 Latour a Pomerol A-
Blind Red #4 - very modern flashy next to others, ripe black fruit with mocha , a bit too creamy. I guessed 2000 St. Emilion, 2003 Ch. Rol Valentin B-
Bacon wrapped filet mignon with trumpet mushroom and cauliflower puree (and later some parmesan fries made the rounds)
1998 Ch. Conseillante
Very young, rich dark fruit with truffle and tobacco, nice finish., B+/A-
2000 Ch. Conseillante
Even younger, very primary, but lush black raspberry and blackberry, grilled meat, get this time and i think will be great, B+ with A potential
I don’t eat dessert, but those near me enjoyed an apple Crisp and olive oil cake with basil gelato
2015 Suduiaraut (375 ml)
Good acids, orange marmalade and apricot, long lush finish. Needs time but delicious, B+/A-
Fun night with fun crew,
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 the only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
I'm pretty sure I've had that '98 Pavie before and likewise didn't find it totally OTT as some other modernistas are. Sounds like a fun night of wine!