It’s my somm buddy’s bday soon. The official celebration is Friday’s 1 star Michelin meal with Scotch pairings. I’ve had a 17 course Cognac pairing before (yes, 17) and that didn’t do it for me. We’ll see what happens then.
But today, it was a casual lunch at my place.
I made a decent 4 course meal: salmon tartare 3 ways, warm duck gésiers and smoked duck breast salad, truffled aligot and beef shanks and mom’s “carrés au sirop d’érable” with vanilla ice cream.
A lovely time was had by all as it lasted throughout the day and turned into a Scotch and eau-de-vie affair. Lovely.
The lineup:
The after party:
The after-after party:
I was looking forward to the 2014 Clape Cornas as the last one I had was pretty great.
All wines blind for the other diners except the Faury that I was the only one blinded on.
Philippe Lancelot Cramant 2018
We sell this.
Dauvissat Chablis 2018
They say you’ve got to pick your Burg producer (am I gatekeeping?). That’s why. Guesses were all over the place: Pouilly-Fuissé, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru, etc. Village Chablis. Exceptional mouthfeel. Great length. Great wine.
Domaine des Perdrix Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru La Perrière 2014
Intense nose of ripe red and black berries, some sweet spices, cardamom and torrefaction. Classy. High quality Burg palate: rich mouthfeel, chewy yet weightless on the finish. Medium acidity lifting all of it up. Very good.
Auguste Clape Cornas 2014
This didn’t feel right upon opening. Dust, old library, dusty old library, dusty old librarian in a dusty old library. It wasn’t right. I’ve had many great bottles of this. This one sucked. Fail.
Clos du Marquis 1989
Same as the last one: musky and serious nose. Bright, lifted yet intense on the palate. Drinking right at apogee. So good.
My buddy brought a 2022 Faury Côte-Rôtie Les 3 Brunes: blind, I guessed 2020 southern Rhône. Plenty of guarrigue, semi-carb, not my thing.
We then hit the hooch, scotches and went back to champagne with the René Rutat BdB 2013 (we sell this, hope it integrates with time) and Christophe Dechannes Perle Noire (good QPR, we also sell this).
The dishes are all done. I’m lounging and finishing up the Dechannes. Cheers 
