From last night’s dinner at a friend’s,
1996 Dom Perignon - Less forward, breadier than before, the bright lemon has receded, some nice ginger-like flavors emerging, balanced and adding complexity - a beautiful bottle
1998 Fevre Chablis Les Clos - Last bottle of a case consumed over the last 8 years. Far on the downside, but it still complemented the clams casino. Interestingly the oak seemed more pronounced, more like the early years. Some whiskey elements, but again much less than the previous bottle a while back, fair.
2001 Muga Rioja Reserva - Light red berry and earth, kind of tight, seems like a decanting would have been a good idea, enough acid to pair well with the Hungarian cooking, I’ll wait a few more years until the next one, okay.
2003 Molly Dooker Carnival of Love - I have had a couple of bottles of both the 2003 Enchanted Path (disappointing), and the Velvet Glove (superb), so what about the CoL? I am not sure. Kind of “thick,” but not in a positive way, I love viscous in wines like Condrieu (obviously different grape), but this was just thick, while a Condrieu has a level of elegance. Soupy, but not a mess. The syrah was acceptable and not just hidden with winemaker’s tricks, and it was not over the top. It was not hot. What it was was pretty good and it did not overwhelm the food. What it wasn’t was a $70 bottle of wine, still pretty good.
Heitz Ink Grade - Bought this bottle of about 10 years ago. Finally opened it. I am no Port expert, but I would say this is a peer to many of the 10 and 20 year Tawny Ports I have had, enjoyable.