So, many thanks to Joe for hosting after attendance swelled beyond my ability to host. Great to see JBL in NY again after an eleven year absence and I was thrilled so many of the original wldgers were able to make it. A big thank you to Christine for making her killer Bo Ssam, kale salad (hers is my favorite salad at the moment) and not one, but two cakes! A thank you also to everyone else that helped out with the food and keeping the load light for the host.
It was a really fun time with some quite tasty wines. I didn't try a bunch of them, but here are a few impressions.
The '84 Ridge- Cab Jimsomare was my wine of the night. I purchased it some months ago from Dick Krueger, so I know it's been stored lovingly. Just gorgeous stuff. Great balance, wonderful black fruit that was complemented by tobacco, cedar, herb and earth flavors. Drinking beautifully now, but no hurry as there was still plenty of structure.
Loved the Foillard pi. Jeff called it well. Just very sexy and full of strawberries and raspberries. I wish the bottle never ran out.
I liked the '82 Marcarini more than Jeff, but not as much as Chris Kravitz, who thought it his wine of the night. Nicely mellowed, but still showing pretty cherry fruit. My only knock is that while it tasted good, I didn't find it to have much of a personality.
I was majorly bummed about the '78 Sunrise Winery- Cab being corked. I bought it a year ago based on a ten year old tasting note by none other than Jason himself, who apparently knew the owners, so i thought it would be a great and rare surprise, because the winery existed briefly and you just don't see or hear anything about it. Underneath that tca was beautiful fruit and big structure, so I'll be on the lookout for another bottle, though finding one is unlikely.
I'm kindah with Joe on the '01 Knoll with regard to botrytis. I got more of that and not really oxidative notes, which, as most folks here know, I really have an aversion to. I liked the wine a lot.
I know I had both Haags, but I didn't really know what they were and what order they were poured to me. All I know is I greatly enjoyed them both.
The '96 Allemand, while tasty and enjoyable, is probably my least favorite from '95-'06. I'm just not a huge fan of all the crunchiness found in '96 Northern Rhones. The acidity just isn't in balance, though I certainly realize that's at odds with all the blistering acid freaks here.
It was a treat to try that '96 Bongran again. I haven't tried it since I had it with Callahan back when we worked at Garnet and one was opened in back to see what all the fuss was since RP had just lavished with big points. It still has that great acidity, but it seems a bit sweeter than I remember. More Chardonnay should be made that way.
The Mt. Eden was way too oaky and I don't think there's any hope for it. The Contino was too oaky, but there's hope for it. I think the wine will eventually absorb it with time.
I was pleasantly surprised with the '67 Giscours. Certainly fading, but it still retained some fruit and things of interest and was pleasantly mellow. Always a treat to find a good tasting birth year wine.
I was happy with how the magnum of '05 Briords Muscadet showed. I just picked up a couple for $30 at auction. Who puts their mags of Muscadet up for auction?
The '78 Olga Raffault was lovely. Somewhat silky and still showing some black fruit, but plenty of herb/tobacco and rocks.
The '95 Edmunds St. John- Syrah Durell showed quite nicely. Softened, but still with some fortitude. Nice fruit and spice and I agree with Jeff, a nice pairing with the bo ssam.
I forget what '99 Nigl Riesling Joe opened at the end (might've been a Nikolaihof,) but it was nice, though maybe a little lean.
Some pics from the evening.
Honored guests, JBL & Lynn
Chico!
Look how nice Dougherty is when I don't use a flash.
Now look at his message to me when I use the flash. Btw, l to r, Dougherty, Manuel, Josie & .sasha.
Don & .sasha ham it up.
I don't know what Jayson Cohen said, but it shocked the hell out of Greg.
Jeff, Don & Jay having a swell time.
A rare Coad picture! Lisa, JBL & Chris. He was actually taking notes, but left his notebook at Joe's and it wasn't a Hello Kitty notebook, so read into it what you will.
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Lynn & Christine.
Christine's incredible bo ssam.
Digging in!
Chris Kravitz is ready to fight Greg over that pork candy.
Manuel, Jay, Josie & Jayson.
JBL tells Chris of his 52 years in the wine biz.
