Scallops with Morey St. Denis Blanc; Cheeses with Zinfandel

Tonight dinner was pan-grilled, in Tahitian lime olive oil, scallops, seasoned with Key Lime pepper, Garlic, and SI Spicy Seafood Seasoning. The pan was de-glazed with dry vermouth. Veggie was organic corn boiled briefly and finished with butter, sea salt, and black pepper. This was had with a 2001 Domaine Ponsot Morey St. Denis Blanc ‘Clos des Monts Luisants’ Vielles Vignes - This one was somewhat darker yellow gold in color than the last we had, and had a bit of oxidization on the nose. Interestingly the cork was very tight, had little saturation into it, and no noticible flaws. Continuing nose and flavors had the slight oxidization and muted normal fruit profile; light acidity in the mid-palate; and a shorter than normal finish. Who knows??

Then for dessert, while watching qualifying for the Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix (via TiVo), we had all the leftover pieces of various cheeses from prior meals with lavender honey and peach-vanilla & pear fruit pastes. Wine was a 2000 Nine Gables Zinfandel ‘Pifari Cedar Vista Vineyard’ from California’s Shenandoah Valley - dark ruby garnet in color; bright berry fruit in nose and flavors; a bit of slightly spritzy acidity in the fruity mid-palate; and a medium long berry finish; not a particularly complex wine, but nice with the variety of cheeses.

Dick, that Ponsot note is a bit scary as I recall us buying that case together in France and handcarrying it back. Provenance could not have been better. I’m sitting on my bottles, haven’t popped one yet, but am perplexed/concerned…

I’m hoping it is just shut down hard… (known to happen with this bottling and varietal)