Dinner at Bistro Les Amis in Soho, http://www.bistrolesamis.com/
We were very happy to host Merrill and some friends (who came in from Florida just for the dinner!), along with the local wine ‘crew’ for a ‘French Bistro away from France’ dinner. Very nice place, great glassware. Nice longstanding staff (our waiter has been working there for 20 years), and great specials changing every day. The lamb special of the day (slowly cooked for 6 hours) was stunning. I saw no steak was left on the table. The duck was excellent so the lady reported. Great wine and company. Fair disclosure- I was under the weather so I’ve been able to taste, and smell, only with half a nose. Hence, my notes are somewhat more limited (though few wines impressed me even with half a nose!). I wish I felt better so I could have enjoyed more.
2005 Jacquesson- I was thinking about the crispness as well when I first tasted it (first time I have this one, had different 2005 Jacquesson of their other vineyards before). Very big on the floral, needed time to open up (or my nose needed time to open up). Enjoyable. Great finish, medium plus. Can’t provide more detail notes this time. I would say- it impressed me with half a nose, and it impressed Greg who was in full mode and healthy. As he reported- he is not big on bubbles, and “this is damn good! can I have a bit more?”.
2007 Gosset Celebris Rosé- Great salmon/lighting color. Beautiful bubbles. More berries on the ‘half’ nose to open. Was very pleased that team Florida pulled that from the cellar. Problem was that they could not decided which rose to open for Merrill. We were all very happy with it. Young, can be enjoyed now but certainly would get better with age. That’s the limit of what I can say right now. Do plan to test it again in the very near future as I see great growth options to this.
Then, we opened ‘04 Bollinger Grande Année Rosé - It was an excellent decision to open after the celebris because it was truly a notch above, maybe two. A wow factor rose in any shape and form, even only on half nose. I did taste it (Actually twice) in the last 12 months. It was a pleasure to see the audience enjoying. It was clearly Merrill’s and probably six of the guests’ favorite bubbly of the night (iirc Merrill asked for and received two refills, maybe three) . For some, even the WOTN. Long lasting bubbles. Lots of floral on the half nose. A great company for the appetizers, as well as the meat dishes. All in (even on half nose, even the little I had).
2014 E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane- Great treat by Dan. I agree with others on CT about the floral and minerality (sadly, as noted-- I was able to smell only with half ‘nose’ as I’ve been under the weather… still it stood out). Classic Condrieu, medium plus finish. Hopefully I’d be able to revisit in the future. Great treat If you like Condrieu this is one you should taste. I was able to ‘sneak’ a small leftover and tasted it on Saturday when I felt better. It confirmed my initial ‘suspicion’ of that being an excellent wine.
'87 Mondavi Cab Reserve- Drink up don’t hold. I guess after 30 years bottle variations may occur, but others (including myself) simply concluded it is on a downwards slope. Cork on this one was slightly depressed but wine was good. Mostly earthy notes on PnP . Took few hours for the floral to open up (added some chocolate and ceder notes, and when I tasted it on Sat it was still drinking nice, just not as strong as other Mondavi 87’s I had before). Others agreed- it was okay, but not stunning anymore.
Memory item- actually the '87 mondavi (non reserve) drank better few months ago. Also, the '80 mondavi drank much better. c’est la vie
1982 Calon Segur- classic Bordeaux blend, but did not feel as an outstanding wine. It was drinking better than the Mondavi but not that memorable. Could be my cold that affected. Clearly had more fruit and floral on the nose than the Mondavi (somewhat felt younger than '82 wine). One day hopefully I’d taste it with full nose and maybe change my mind. Also, because I had a recent dinner with some outstanding old Bordeaux perhaps my reference point was in influence.
2009 EMH Black Cat- As adverstised and in line with my previous tastes. The one whose opinion counts claimed it is better than it was few months ago. I took sip twice and I can tell its not fading anytime soon. But, given the cold and the fact I tried being a good host, have no detailed notes aside from: Enjoyable, opening up (on half nose). Great treat.
All wines were revisited by guests throughout the evening. I naturally had little, and mostly bubbles and Condrieu. The guests enjoyed the desserts, and the food. I do think it is a great QPR bistro, and their specials are indeed special. Wish I was not under the weather to fully enjoy. Special thank you to Merrill for giving an excuse to host a lovely dinner.