My husband and I hosted our wine group for a holiday party. We had a blast. Lots of people and loads of fun. I went all out on the food. I knew this group would bring some fantastic wines. I didn’t get a chance to taste every wine, I was busy cooking! And I didn’t remember all who brought what. This group is usually a French red wine group, but the German wines seemed to take center stage. In fact one was declared WOTN by several. Some pics of the wine and food. Dave and I are eating leftovers - Yum!
Notes on the wines:
2008 Charles Heidsieck Brut - beautiful wine. I rarely see this producer mentioned and I wonder why. Strong acid with lemony palate.
2009 Billecart Salmon Brut BdB Louis Salmon. - this was a treat. Lots of brioche. One of my favorite champagnes and I appreciate our friend for bringing such a delicious Champers
Bodegas Los Bermejos Rosado
2024 Bodegas Los Mermejos Listan Negro Rosado - Our friend asked what to bring. I told him what he likes to drink and something exotic. This was his exotic and certainly was different. I’m finishing it up as I write this! much better the second day and warmer.
1990 Gunderloch Nackenheimer Rothenberg Auslese - I didn’t taste but many said it was the WOTN, even over the wonderful reds
2002 JJ Christoffel Urziger Wurzgarten Auslese *** - loved it! One of my contributions. Balanced, with the sweetness incorporated into more tertiary flavors of caramel and spices. 2002 was overlooked because it followed 2001 but it was an excellent vintage. Too bad Christoffel isn’t making wines like this now.
1970 Benedickt Loosen Urziger Wirzgarten Auslese - A friend (also president of German Wine Society in US) brought this old bottle down from NJ. It was still alive!
2024 Prinzsalm Wallhauser Felseneck Riesling GG Trocken - I never heard of this producer that our new friend who is a sommelier brought but it was wonderful with the seafood buffet we had set up.
1990 JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese - one of my favorites of the night. Some sweetness left but not overbearing. Plenty of apricot flavors
2017 Dom de la Vougeraie Vougeot Le Clos Blanc Monopole - way too young. This needs another five years. But you can see the potential. Glad I have more in the cellar
2019 Eden Rift Chardonnay Reserve - Our friend who is a superb chef brought this and said it tasted just like a Chassagne Montrachet. It was quite nice with an old world palate to it. Another wine I never heard of
2014 Peter Michael Chardonnay Cuvée Indigene - another of my contributions. Typical Peter Michael Chardonnay with plenty of oak and intense peach fruit. Lovely wine but my crowd isn’t a California Chardonnay group, except for my old friend from college!
2010 Ch La Rame Sainte Croix du Mont - I didn’t get a chance to taste this dessert wine that our DC friend brought. But I see there is some left in the bottle that I will try tonight.
2007 Pegau CdP Reserve - I’ve always loved Pegau. The was bit light on the palate but with very nice flavor.
2019 Testarossa Pinot Noir Pisani Vineyard - I’ve never heard of this one! So many wines I never heard of and I thought I was well versed. Quite nice with new world flavors and forwardness.
2014 JL Jamet Cote Rotie Terrasses - very soft and some vegetable notes but enjoyable with the food. A contribution from one who is well versed with Northern Rhone (I’m just learning)
2020 Billard Beaune Les Montrevenots - Another producer I never heard of. Actually a nice simple burgundy for consumption with our food.
2011 Penfolds RWT Shiraz - Reminder to me that I love shiraz and kicking myself for not drinking more. Lots of depth and savory notes to it. Wonderful wine and nice contribution .
2017 Bernhard Huber Malterdinger Alte Reben - Another new producer to me. Quite lovely. Cherries and a fresh finish.
2000 Giscours (mag) - I’ve always loved Giscours and this was a showing quite well out of magnum. I enjoyed this wine, especially the day after with its cedar and woodsy notes.
2003 Clos Fourtet - It was good. A little stewy but that may be the year and age. It was easy to drink…
2005 Vieux Chateau Certan - a very generous bottle from someone we haven’t seen in a while. Showed very well with plum and very dark fruits.
2011 Domenico Clerico Barolo Pajana - I only got the dregs by the time I got to it but wow. Big wine, big nose, in your face! Tons of sediment.
2002 Leoville Las Cases - a very light year, but not bad. Our NJ friend brought this. It was his backup wine to a mini vertical with Lafite and Mouton.
1984 Laurel Glen - I really enjoyed this wine. One of my favorites. So mature and with tons of leather and chocolate on the nose.
2001 Pavie - We had two Pavies and they couldn’t have been more different. This had tons of flavor to it that lingered on the palate for a very long time.
1982 Pavie - Surprisingly fresh. My contribution and I was worried because my cellar conditions weren’t great ages ago when I was young and purchased this. This weathered well. Nice acidity. Well rounded flavors. Yum! So inexpensive back when it was released and panned by critics - what do they know?
1995 Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - Another contribution of mine. Lots of blackberries and currants . This was my WOTN of the wines I tasted.
1977 Dows Porto - I’ve always said I don’t care for Port so I never drink it. WTH is wrong with me! I was wowed
The Food
Shrimp Tartlets
Crab Artichoke Toasts
Chilled Lobster with green goddess
Oysters with mignonette and my hot sauce
Shrimp with cocktail sauce
Spanish Mussels Escabeche
Smoked Fish with cream cheese
Tenderloin Rollups (cold)
Lamb Loin Chops
Pork Shu Mai
Vegetable Pie Tees
Stuffed Spinach Ricotta Shells
