Jeebus at Szechuan Gourmet

For what it's worth, in a cruel twist of fate, I would have loved to join you guys for this dinner but my wife has been attending the very conference that made this jeebus possible. Therefore I must stay home with the baby!

Regardless, looks like you folks did pretty well with the wine.

And exciting to hear about this new Texier bottling.
 
A shadow had been cast over the reputation of the 2004 Juge "Cuvee C" Cornas

Juge_Cornas.jpg
It was time for a jeebus at Grand Sichuan to investigate the matter further.

GS.jpg
The guy on the left is a huge Rieslaner fan, by the way.

My conclusion: there was no butter in my Dan Dan noodles or in my Cornas, but there was a heavy serving of margarine in the latter. Air helped. 6 hours or so made a difference, and brought more of the dark bramble to the fore. Upon opening pretty much most of what I got was I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!
 
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
A shadow had been cast over the reputation of the 2004 Juge "Cuvee C" Cornas

Juge_Cornas.jpg
It was time for a jeebus at Grand Sichuan to investigate the matter further.

GS.jpg
The guy on the left is a huge Rieslaner fan, by the way.

My conclusion: there was no butter in my Dan Dan noodles or in my Cornas, but there was a heavy serving of margarine in the latter. Air helped. 6 hours or so made a difference, and brought more of the dark bramble to the fore. Upon opening pretty much most of what I got was I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!

This ought to garner 2011 WIWPie consideration.
 
OK, I think we have identified the problem, and I have a solution to propose: Anyone who has a bottle of the 2004 or 2005 Juge, and an itchy trigger finger to taste a Juge Cornas is offered a trade....your 2004 bottle for a well stored bottle of 1998 or 1999 which may be more ready to drink (not completely ready, IMHO, but maybe closer)

The only problem is that you will have to figure out a way to get your bottle to Boston and mine to wherever you are since shipping is not an option.
 
I'd make that trade - I have a 2005 Juge available. But I'm unlikely to be in Boston anytime soon - you ever in NY? Maybe we can make an exchange at a jeebus to be determined later.
 
I always forget that people can't send each other wine in the US. Totally infuriating.

In France, at La Poste they have pre-paid bottle shippers in different quantities.
 
originally posted by MLipton:
originally posted by Kevin Roberts:

To me diacetyl doesn't smell nearly as much like butter as "artificial butter."

*ding ding* Thank you, Kevin. I was beginning to feel a bit marginalized with that view. The odor of butter is actually quite complex, with contributions from such actors as butyric acid, (yes) diacetyl and ethyl lactate. Diacetyl resembles butter in the same way that benzonitrile resembles cherries.

Mark Lipton

Now that you say it, that is a much better description.
 
A few further thoughts on some of the wines we had, now that I'm back home.

The 2004 Rougeard was pretty stunning. I'm a cab francophile, and have long wanted to taste some. I was not disappointed. It was a bit brooding at first, but really opened up nicely.

The Harveselu was pretty, with an attractive lime note.

The Bachelet seemed quite closed to begin with and opened up a bit over time, I think this one seemed pretty primary.

I was a bit disappointed with the showing of the Belleviere Giroflees, which I brought. I thought it seemed like a good idea for the Szechuan food. Bad bottle? Awkward phase? Meh. Does anyone know if this wine made every year?

I did enjoy the other bottle I brought, the Puffeney Pinot Noir. The ethereality has me craving more Jurassic reds. (and whites too.)

Among the rieslings, I liked the Leitz more than the Muelenhof. Though they were both nice.

The Mondeuse didn't grab me, I think Salil described my issues well with "grapey sweetness."

Now those Muller-Catoirs, those were a revelation to me. Especially that scheurebe, which had a captivating aroma, and it was delightful on the palate. The thing that struck me most about the rieslaner was for a wine with as much sugar, it had a deftness and lightness that were striking. Very good stuff.

Though my wife didn't like it as much as I did, the cumin lamb was really tasty. Sometimes uncomplicated and straightforward is what one needs. Cumin lamb was certainly exactly that! And those dumplings...

We had a great time and thanks to everyone for coming out. It was nice to put together some faces with some names.

Cheers,

Kevin
 
One more footnote: I followed the Harslevelu and the Mondeuse for a few more days. The Mondeuse remained basically unchanged, though I found it a bit easier to like when not served with such vivid food. The Harslevelu got slightly chalkier with time, until, eventually, a slightly oxidized note crept in.
 
originally posted by Kevin Roberts:
A I was a bit disappointed with the showing of the Belleviere Giroflees, which I brought. I thought it seemed like a good idea for the Szechuan food. Bad bottle? Awkward phase? Meh. Does anyone know if this wine made every year?

I don't think so. Or, if it is, I don't think it has been brought to the States every year. I don't recall seeing 2006-8 versions.
 
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