Our fine wine dinner group recently held its annual “Millenium” event in the quite appropriate ambience of the Cork Room at bouchon restaurant. Each of the 11 participants were given 3 choices for 3 courses with a separate dessert menu following. This dinner has had a history of many great wines, the epitome of the numerous dinners we have during each year. With the exception of a few wines, this year was as good as any:
1996 DOM PERIGNON- one week prior, another dinner including some of the same characters had this magnificent bubbly and it was one of the best bottles I`ve had since release when it showed extremely well albeit youthful; this bottles was flawed; the cork came out way too easily; it was corked and then followed by a sherry like oxidation- Boo!
1996 VEUVE CLICQUOT LA GRANDE DAME- sad to say, this was oxidized as well.
1988 POL ROGER CUVEE SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL BRUT- thankfully, this 1.5L bottle shined and was consumed in short time after 2 failed attempts to enjoy some high end Champagne; it had lovely acidity with nice citrus notes, was refreshing, crisp and delightful; this was not a big and robust bubbly, but was more of a beautifully balanced, even and steady treat.
2005 PIERRE-YVES COLIN-MOREY CORTON CHARLEMAGNE- another steady and even experience also in perfect balance with predominant citrus fruit, especially lemon zest; great texture and another winner from this consistently good producer.
2010 VINCENT GIRARDIN CORTON CHARLEMAGNE- lots of graphite, steely, flinty and mineral notes abound.
2011 ETIENNE SAUZET BATARD MONTRACHET- absolutely delicious Batard; layers upon layers of different fruit profiles stack up and marry by mid palate and carry into the back end with vim and vigor; great acidity; wonderful wine albeit in its youth.
2000 Y LUR SALUCES- 15.1% alc.; from Chateau dYquem, this was not as good as many bottles weve enjoyed over the past year or so; there was some stone fruitiness, but little else to rave about.
2001 JJ PRUM GRAACHER HIMMELREICH AUSLESE RIESLING- serious petrol aromatics followed up by loads of honeyed apricot, spiced baked apple with a touch a cinnamon; 7.5% alc. a perfect change of pace and palate cleanser for the upcoming 2nd and 3rd courses.
2005 DOMAINE TRAPET LATRICIERES CHAMBERTIN- this one was very different than anticipated with its somewhat toasty, raisny black cherry/ berry notes that somehow
different animal than what other bottles would show.
2006 BOUCHARD CLOS VOUGEOT- one of my favs of the evening; perfect balance, wonderful, seamless beauty. fresh black and red fruit, a soft and silky texture and length on the palate; a full bodied, rich and vibrant red Burg.
2007 SINE QUA NON NEXT OF KYN NO. 1- CA red; hits the WOW factor; mostly Syrah, if in fact not all Syrah as was mentioned at the table; some bacon fat and baking spices add to the huge extracted black and blue fruit; it`s just big and not in any way clumsy in just about every way one can describe a wine from the nose through the finish.
2010 SARL ALAN VOGE CORNAS LES VIEILLES VIGNES- I loved the spicy, peppery tangy notes that spring out in the nose and carry on into the mid palate with the fruit forwardness; for me, this is just what I want in a Cornas and it gave up such in spades.
1986 BODEGAS VEGA SICILIA UNICO - immediately, this became my fav of the night and it did get WOTN by the time it was all over; 80% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet and 5% Merlot; startling, perfect balance, round and seamless, a hit of spice and toastiness on top of mature flavors that sing out for more sampling; even at age 27, this has so much time to go and exuberates the epitome of all things good in an ageless wonder.
1997 ROMANO DAL FORNO AMARONE della VALPOLICELLA- corked, then saran wrapped for the experiment attempt and it worked; it was drinkable and certainly better or at least approachable, sort of.
2010 LEWIS CABERNET RESERVE- this had it all; balance, complexity, depth, structure and length; if there was a fault, it was a tad too oaky which was not quite yet integrated, but I expect that to be a non issue within a few years.
2005 SCHRADER TO KALON VINEYARD BECKSTOFFER CABERNET- another big time winner although I liked the Lewis better; reminded me of the vacation spot I go to every summer in NW Michigan where red and black cherries and are in season during my visit; this is serious black cherry pie without the alamode; big, rich, luscious and delightful.
1989 DYQUEM- apricot nectar, thick honeyed, palate coating pleasure and all of the superlatives you can state for an exquisite dYquem.
2001 SINE QUA NON INAMORATA ROUSSANNE- 7.8% alc.; syrup thick maple, caramel peach and apricot treat.
Cheers,
Blake