We had an impromptu gathering at Marks duckhouse to eat dimsum. It was only four of us but had blast, starting at five and stuffing ourselves for four hours.
Champagne
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NV Roses de Jeanne / Cédric Bouchard Champagne Inflorescence Blanc de Noirs La Parcelle - France, Champagne, Côte des Bars (Aube), Champagne
April, 2013 disgorgement. Sweet yellow fruits, fresh golden delicious, ginger and flowers. Fine mousse, Very good concentration, sweet yellow fruit driven palate impression, bright acidity and sweet medium finish. Really enjoyable. (94 pts.) -
NV R. & L. Legras Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru - France, Champagne, Chouilly, Champagne
Clean, surprisingly red fruits, seashell, saline and limestone. Medium weight, shy but a bit coarse mousse, sweet yellow fruit driven palate impression and good clean finish. Very clean and enjoyable but not terribly complex. (90 pts.)
Lone Riesling
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1986 Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Bernkasteler Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Very fresh color. Very youthful nose, a hint of petrol, smoke, yellow fruits, lemon curd, burnt sugar, mint and almond oil. Excellent concentration, citrus driven palate impression, medium acidity and medium finish. Neither terribly precise nor complex but impressively youthful and tasty. (90 pts.)
White Burgundy
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2010 Domaine Leflaive Meursault 1er Cru Sous le Dos d’Âne#/b##/url##i# - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru#/i#
Starts a bit tight, only a hint of lemon curd and sesame/toasted oak# With air, nicely focused but rich nose displaying yellow citrus fruits, pear, sesame, lanoline and limestone# Very good concentration, lemon oil driven palate impression, bright acidity, strong presence of mineral and lovely long finish# A bit of Meursault and a bit of ripe Cali fruit and oak# Still young but drinking nicely# Decanting is recommended# #b##92 pts###/b#
#*#[url=http://www.cellartracker.com/note.asp?iWine=934023&iNote=4780953]2009 François Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
I have been extremely happy with this wine as they have been consistently pleasurable. Very Raveneau nose displaying ripe citrus and pear, saline and mineral. This is the first bottle that showed pineapple/tropical fruits, perhaps the vintage character is starting to show. Excellent concentration, oily palate, mineral and saline, bright acidity and lovely long finish. Drinking incredibly well. (94 pts.)
Rhone Red
- 2001 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve des Deux Frères - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Excellent provenance. Baked black fruit driven nose, blackberries, blackberry liqueur, soy, dust, charred steak, dust and noticeable alcohol. Exceptional concentration, slightly roasted fruits and fruit cake driven palate impression, dust/mineral and medium finish due to alcohol. This has to be very divisive wine, WYSWYG. I would imagine decanting will help and perhaps a few more years of cellaring. A bit awkward. (92 pts.) - 2003 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d’Ampuis - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
This has developed nicely. Very ripe nose with roasted dark fruits as one can expect but not heavy, black fruits, blackberry and black cherry, charred steak, bacon fat and dark spices. Excellent concentration, intense jammy dark fruit driven palate impression, good acidity, nicely integrated tannins and good finish with intense sweet end. It is evolving nicely. A very good example of the 03 Northern Rhone, ripe yet balanced, of course YMMV. It is still very youthful and will improve at least ten more years. No need to hurry. The best showing so far. (95 pts.)
Bachelet
- 1999 Domaine Denis Bachelet Charmes-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru
Alan S commented, he really don’t get Burgundy and this was no exception. Ken M and I smelt and looked at each other, Eureka/Hallelujah more for us. Subtle yet decadent perfectly ripe black fruits, a hint of raspberry as well, mocha, coffee, a hint of black olive, dark sweet spices and a hint of truffle. Incredibly polished palate, exceptional concentration but deceptively airy, fresh black fruit driven palate impression, airy, incredibly layered fruits, nicely integrated tannins and lovely seamless long finish. Drinking incredibly well but still young not showing sous bois yet. (96 pts.)
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