What did you drink tonight?

This was a night of FLJim wines. We started with a bottle of the '06 Mont Blanc "Ayse" fizz, which was a tad orange with great grapefruity character atop a spicy note. Sparkling Gringet just doesn't get much better. A paella was accompanied by the '08 Cowan Cellar Skin Contact Sauvignon, which was so appealing with its (again) citrusy, herbal and slightly floral notes that one of our guests held it in a death grip and refused to share (don't Bogart that SB, Alan!) and the '12 Cowan Cellars Rosé of Mourvedre with its subtle, stone-inflected fruitiness. There was no wine or paella leftover, which was a testament to how good both were.

Mark Lipton
 
2005 Vissoux Fleurie Poncié. The last bottle I opened was thick with plumy spice-cake. This one was fine and lean, a trinity of acid, fruit and tannin. Striking that the thick, blubbery layer of lush fruit this wine sported in its youth as reacted down into its current sinuous form, a bit like Picasso's minimalist bull. Not a ton of depth, nor complexity, but impressive on its own and brilliant with food.
 
2009 Domaine Notre Dame des Palliéres Gigondas. On the whole, really fine. The Roux's Sablet wines see no barrel aging. Some vanilla and toast, but it if there's a Napa-grade gob-smack of oak in this, I can't find it. Pleasing acidity, lots and lots of spice, and the kind of intellectual complexity that I value. 15% as gracefully as I can imagine it being done - dense without being boorish, and a really captivating nose. Smoky note in the empty glass. No reason to wait on these, although I don't think they'll be fading for at least four or five years, if that. I'd drink the whole bottle if I didn't have to be at work at 8 tomorrow.
 
originally posted by Ian Fitzsimmons:
2005 Vissoux Fleurie Poncié. The last bottle I opened was thick with plumy spice-cake. This one was fine and lean, a trinity of acid, fruit and tannin. Striking that the thick, blubbery layer of lush fruit this wine sported in its youth as reacted down into its current sinuous form, a bit like Picasso's minimalist bull. Not a ton of depth, nor complexity, but impressive on its own and brilliant with food.
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Love me some blubber.
Best, Jim
 
Jeff took notes, but from memory

1981 Giscours - started out beautiful classic Bordeaux but with a lot of air a faint hint of corkiness came up and killed it. Still, we were were able to enjoy it early on.

1993 Domaine Antonin Guyon Domaine Hippolyte Thevenot Corton Clos du Roy - good but not better. Still tight with a lot of primary red fruit.

2011? Ridge Montebello - just the thing to match with the steak frites. Rich and oaky but still chewy and balanced. Sometimes you feel like a Ridge.

There was an Arbois Poulsard but I didn't catch vintage or producer. Very nice.

2010 Clos Roche Blanche Gamay - earthy,pure, stunning beautiful while also being eminently gluggable. My WOTN.

2011 Meulenhof Erdner Treppchen Alte Reben Auslese - very pleasant with just enough acidity to lift up the sweetness a bit. Perhaps a little soft but very enjoyable.

1998 Nigl Riesling Piri Privat? Beerenauslese - rich and botrytisy. Surprisingly high in alcohol (12.5) for a BA.

Chris and Lisa were regulars at Madame Claude until they emigrated to The Island so it was nice to welcome them back for a fun dinner. We reminisced about their last dinner there which turned out to be a surprising 8 years ago once we did the math. Unsurprisingly we remembered several of the wines from that night:

Previous Madame Claude dinner
 
originally posted by Jay Miller:

2010 Clos Roche Blanche Gamay - earthy,pure, stunning beautiful while also being eminently gluggable. My WOTN.
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Why are all my geek friends drinking the 2010 instead of the 2011 now?

I'll open another 2011 in the next week to see if there is a change of course, but I am pretty sure I won't be touching another 2010 for a while.
 
originally posted by Jay Miller:
Jeff took notes, but from memory
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Your memory is very good. Just a little to add:
1993 Domaine Antonin Guyon Domaine Hippolyte Thevenot Corton Clos du Roy - good but not better. Still tight with a lot of primary red fruit.
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I though this was really generic-tasting and not all that primary.

2011? Ridge Montebello - just the thing to match with the steak frites. Rich and oaky but still chewy and balanced. Sometimes you feel like a Ridge.
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Yes, 2011. No, I just could not bear the wood and coconut, even for a sentimental favorite.

There was an Arbois Poulsard but I didn't catch vintage or producer. Very nice.
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Dom. Bodines 2011 Arbois Pulsard - after 5 minutes the matchsticks blow off, satisfying high-acid, slightly grippy, fresh, pale wine; yum

2010 Clos Roche Blanche Gamay - earthy,pure, stunning beautiful while also being eminently gluggable. My WOTN.
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Absolutely.
 
originally posted by Florida Jim:
originally posted by Ian Fitzsimmons:
2005 Vissoux Fleurie Poncié. The last bottle I opened was thick with plumy spice-cake. This one was fine and lean, a trinity of acid, fruit and tannin. Striking that the thick, blubbery layer of lush fruit this wine sported in its youth as reacted down into its current sinuous form, a bit like Picasso's minimalist bull. Not a ton of depth, nor complexity, but impressive on its own and brilliant with food.
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Love me some blubber.
Best, Jim
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Yeah, my wife loved it young, too. Me, I'm happier now.
 
Last night, to accompany a dinner of quarter pounders with cheese and fries, we opened our last bottle of the 1947 Ch. Cheval Blanc. The fill was good (mid neck) and the cork was in excellent condition given the age of the wine. And how was it? Well, it was astonishingly youthful, seemingly 25 years old rather than 67. A huge blast of very sweet blueberry essence burst out of the decanter as soon as I started to pour it. The port analogy was obvious. But once in the glass, it settled down a bit and was merely intensely fruity but without the sweetness. The harmony was incredible with the tannin, acidity, violet, rose and raspberry all swirling about the glass. Relatively light weight but excellent length, long and unwavering to the whisper of a finish. Yet the youthfulness was astonishing, although it began its gentle descent after about an hour, yet still wonderful after 3 hours. Unforgettable. My one question was the meaning of the importer's label on the back that said "Cuvée Rudy"

Mark Lipton
 
originally posted by MLipton:
A memorable experienceLast night, to accompany a dinner of quarter pounders with cheese and fries, we opened our last bottle of the 1947 Ch. Cheval Blanc. The fill was good (mid neck) and the cork was in excellent condition given the age of the wine. And how was it? Well, it was astonishingly youthful, seemingly 25 years old rather than 67. A huge blast of very sweet blueberry essence burst out of the decanter as soon as I started to pour it. The port analogy was obvious. But once in the glass, it settled down a bit and was merely intensely fruity but without the sweetness. The harmony was incredible with the tannin, acidity, violet, rose and raspberry all swirling about the glass. Relatively light weight but excellent length, long and unwavering to the whisper of a finish. Yet the youthfulness was astonishing, although it began its gentle descent after about an hour, yet still wonderful after 3 hours. Unforgettable. My one question was the meaning of the importer's label on the back that said "Cuvée Rudy"

Mark Lipton
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It's evident that this is an April Fool's joke. Everyone knows that the 47 Cheval Blanc is atypically port-like and establishes Parker's preferences as based in the canon of great wines. You were clearly drinking a relabelled Clos Roche Blanche Cabernet.
 
oh, I get it. The note on 2010 CRB Gamay from Jay Miller and his conspirator Jeff Grossman was an early April Fool's joke.
 
originally posted by maureen:
Last night, 2002 Bertheau Bonnes Mares and 2002 Drouhin Vosne Petit Monts - the former from my cellar and acquired upon release, the latter from a friend's cellar, acquired more recently via auction.

Both wines in very good shape - the Drouhin had been decanted and immediately returned to bottle several hours earlier, the Bertheau decanted at the restaurant. At first, the Bertheau was much more enjoyable with its wide-open nose of fruit and earth. On the palate it was just this side of too lush. But as time went on, the Drouhin opened up and revealed arguably its better structure. Both wines incredibly enjoyable and we hung out at the restaurant (Ripple) for almost 5 hours letting the wines develop in our glasses - and of course sharing them with the staff. Both wines approachable now but could certain hold and perhaps benefit (well, definitely the Drouhin) with more age.
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'02s definitely tasty of late. 2002 Bonnes-Mares, Daniel Moine-Hudelot opened up nicely with time. 2002 Drouhin Echezeaux (from magnum) all that you would want. Great funk on the nose at first, mineral, earthy, spice of some sort, pure, fine acidity, well balanced. Lovely long finish. 2002 to drink now, 1999s still to hold.

2004 Clos Rougeard Clos du Bourg was terrifc, if very young. Silky, fine tanins, palate and aroma typical to the site. A sort of eucalptyus touch. A delight, as to be expected.

01 Domaine de Chevalier blanc: all the words used to describe the great dry whites of Bordeaux can be inserted here>>________ Finally a good bottle after many duds.

Completely non-Disorderly: '99 Clos des Goisses (from magnum), bizarrely good, '01 Montrose very nice.

'04 Raveneau Blanchot: really very good. Maybe, just maybe, it lacked a little concentration of les Clos I have had from Raveneau. That lovely, strange signature of Raveneau: a viscous quality. Hard to place except very Raveneau. And that lovely little hint of botrytis so typical of '04 Chablis.
Ready to go.
 
originally posted by .sasha:
originally posted by Jay Miller:

2010 Clos Roche Blanche Gamay - earthy,pure, stunning beautiful while also being eminently gluggable. My WOTN.
Click to expand...

Why are all my geek friends drinking the 2010 instead of the 2011 now?

I'll open another 2011 in the next week to see if there is a change of course, but I am pretty sure I won't be touching another 2010 for a while.
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2011 in glass. Terrible. Send all your remaining bottles to me.

Anyone got mags?
 
originally posted by Tristan Welles:
2004 Clos Rougeard Clos du Bourg was terrifc, if very young. Silky, fine tanins, palate and aroma typical to the site. A sort of eucalptyus touch. A delight, as to be expected.
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I had one of these on deck, but had second thoughts and put it back. Maybe I should reconsider.

01 Domaine de Chevalier blanc: all the words used to describe the great dry whites of Bordeaux can be inserted here>>________ Finally a good bottle after many duds.
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A recent bottle of 2002 in Chicago with brother Blackwood was excellent.

Completely non-Disorderly: '99 Clos des Goisses (from magnum), bizarrely good,
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Not bizarre, that is a great bottle of Champagne. Wish I could drink it often.

'04 Raveneau Blanchot: really very good. Maybe, just maybe, it lacked a little concentration of les Clos I have had from Raveneau. That lovely, strange signature of Raveneau: a viscous quality. Hard to place except very Raveneau. And that lovely little hint of botrytis so typical of '04 Chablis.
Ready to go.
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I know exactly what you mean, it's almost like an umami gloss. I think that's what David Schildknecht means when he says "chicken broth".
 
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by Tristan Welles:

01 Domaine de Chevalier blanc: all the words used to describe the great dry whites of Bordeaux can be inserted here>>________ Finally a good bottle after many duds.
Click to expand...

A recent bottle of 2002 in Chicago with brother Blackwood was excellent.
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Is this really possible, in 01 or 02? I've not had these two, but I have sampled post-94 stuff. Well made bluberry blanc de noirs. Enlighten me.

Completely non-Disorderly: '99 Clos des Goisses (from magnum), bizarrely good,
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Not bizarre, that is a great bottle of Champagne. Wish I could drink it often.
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Clos des Goisses has long been sanctioned as a model of disorderliness. Original motion was sponsored by brother Connell.
 
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by Tristan Welles:
2004 Clos Rougeard Clos du Bourg was terrifc, if very young. Silky, fine tanins, palate and aroma typical to the site. A sort of eucalptyus touch. A delight, as to be expected.
Click to expand...

I had one of these on deck, but had second thoughts and put it back. Maybe I should reconsider.

01 Domaine de Chevalier blanc: all the words used to describe the great dry whites of Bordeaux can be inserted here>>________ Finally a good bottle after many duds.
Click to expand...

A recent bottle of 2002 in Chicago with brother Blackwood was excellent.

Completely non-Disorderly: '99 Clos des Goisses (from magnum), bizarrely good,
Click to expand...

Not bizarre, that is a great bottle of Champagne. Wish I could drink it often.

'04 Raveneau Blanchot: really very good. Maybe, just maybe, it lacked a little concentration of les Clos I have had from Raveneau. That lovely, strange signature of Raveneau: a viscous quality. Hard to place except very Raveneau. And that lovely little hint of botrytis so typical of '04 Chablis.
Ready to go.
Click to expand...

I know exactly what you mean, it's almost like an umami gloss. I think that's what David Schildknecht means when he says "chicken broth".
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"umami gloss" might be the best description I have yet read. I have often made the comparison to mineral oil. Chicken broth might be misleading as the sensation to me is entirely tactile and chicken broth brings other immediate associations. Drinking Raveneau has a synesthetic memory for me: hunting for larvae for fishing lures in the rapids of Ozark river beds. The water has a heavy, slick quality to it while still seeming pristine.

The Clos de Goisses had the desirable knack of being wonderfully different with each taste. Reading in a link in a different thread also explains something; I thought the '99 tasted a little less sweet and if Philliponat really idid reducing dosage it did improve the quality.

I should clarify about Domaine de Chevalier: the duds I am referenced were from the back half of a six pack of the '98. The first three were very good, the second three, after a period of a year or so, were shot, oxidated. this was my first taste of the '01 and it, too, had about 30 layers to it. I have no problem recommending DcC to those who enjoy non-spoofed wine. But sadly I think the blanc should be drunk within 10-15 years.

The Clos du Bourg was purchased on release and stored at 57f. I wouldn't hesitate to open one now though the pleasure will come more from its structure and primary taste.
 
Many good and delicious wines last night at Contra, but to finish things off, we went with nv-maison-P-U-R-la-bulle-gamay.

Perfect end of the meal if you are looking for something on the sweet side, but not overly so. Tart and juicy. Think of a slightly less sweet, slightly more complex Bugey-Cerdon. Very fresh; very gamay.
 
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