WINES:
Taittinger Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne '04 -- Straw, light restrained bouquet, creamy citrus, round, apples, doughy nuances, youthful and lively. [E]
Kistler McCrea Vineyard Chardonnay '08 -- Medium yellow, classic Chardonnay nose, oak in some evidence, balanced melange of fruits, vanillin notes, fair structure, enjoyable if perhaps a bit undistinguished. [E]
Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape '99 --
From 2 good bottles, dark red, complex fruits in bouquet, some garrigue, leather, round and full profile, maybe some cinnamon and glycerin, superb. [E]
And from 2 subpar bottles, maybe not as dark red, tinges of oxidation initially, seemed to smooth/mellow out over time and with food, definitely not living up to the Beaucastel CNdP '99 expectations from experience, suspected heat damage. [NR]
Chateau Figeac '83 -- Medium red, rather lean fruits, some herbs and earth, cigar box, medium deep, still quite viable albeit with resolved tannins, up to if not above par. [E]
Domaine Jayer-Gilles Nuits St. Georges Les Hauts Poirets '00 -- Deep red, sweet black fruits, cedar, spice, enticing nose, some herbs, elegant, nicely integrated, nice showing for this village-level jewel. [E]
Chateau Rieussec '05 -- Golden yellow, complex fruits, citrus, peaches, apricots, some vanilla, beautiful richness, good roundness and depth, maybe could have more grip, near-Yquem quality. [E]
. . . . Pete