I wrangled an invitation last night to get by MF Buckhead for a small get together for Michael Bowden’s birthday.
I was only going to stay an hour or so but ended up eating and staying for 2 and one-half. Great food and company.
Some great wines too. Most were blinded to me and to Michael by John Liotta.
Champagne (not blinded)
2000 Dom Perignon
A citrus spritz on the nose with great focus. The palate is crisp and bright. The only detracting thing was a slight bitterness on the finish. Still, you can’t turn down Dom!
NV Jacques Selosse Initiale (Very Recent Disgorge 3/09 or something like that)
I let it warm up too much at first but this still purred. A yeasty complex nose. Lots of detail. Some integrated citrus. Some slight hazelnut notes but everything is really well integrated. The palate is huge and creamy. A blistering long finish with lots of complexity. I like it.
Three Wines Blinded
Wine One
John only said it was an 89 something. At first the nose shows lots of funk. This blows off to show a very pure fruited nose. Earthy. Complex. Some element of spice. Lots of reddish character. Burgundy to me. The mid palate takes some time to fill out. The finish from the get go is ultra long. Wow! You could tell it was something special. With time the mid palate gained some volume and this wine really took off.
- 1989 DRC Grands-Echezeaux
Wine Two
The nose here to me is Barolo/Barbaresco. Tar. Roses. Some element of Balsamic element. Dark fruit. It takes some coaxing however to get this to come out. Almost a young character. There is density here on the palate that is unusual. I guessed it was from an ultraripe year. The palate is full. The tannins are very soft. A nice finish.
- 1988 Gaia Barbaresco Sori San Lorenzo
Wine Three
Here we are in Bordeaux on the nose. There is some element of earth that just takes me there. Focused too. Dark. Very feminine in character too. The palate is focused dark fruit. An elegance. Great complexity. There is tannin on the finish which firms it up. Extremely nice!
- 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild
After this we had a Loire wine.
1957 Huet Le Haut Lieu Demi-Sec (Recent Release)
This has tons of VA on opening. When that blew off, the nose shows a sparking white type of fruit. The palate is still dense and as yet unevolved. Excellent lift from all the acidity. I thought it was nice. The VA is my only knock. Still young in many ways. Thanks Michael.
I had a blast. Thanks guys for allowing me to crash the party.
Happy Birthday Michael.