A nice assortment of wines with (mostly) Filipino food in NJ

Yesterday Betsy and I headed to Jay and Arnold's home in Jersey City, as we approached the apartment Betsy said "I smell gougeres" and we knew we were on right track. We were among the first, and snacked on gougeres, bread an d butter (goat and cow), & Epoisses as we admired the whole roasted pig. As people arrived we feasted on the lechon with a delicious liver sauce, lump ia, squid sisig, green beans, and noodles. Later morel toast and cauliflowe r put in an appearance, followed by several desserts. A great spread ,tasty from start to finish.

Many many wines, with a very good success rate. . I was too busy talking to write notes. Sure I missed some, but here are a few impressions. I hope my memories of wine names is correct (though certainly imcomplete).

I had not been especially fond of Bereche first couple times I tried, but l ike the basic Brut last year, and this time I LOVED the Bereche "Campania R emensis" -crisp, elegant, chalky minerality. The 2002 Huet Petillant was fi ne, fullfilling the potential everyone expected before premox reports.

Non-bubbly Vouvray Also escaping Premox, a 2002 Huet Sec was in a nice place, while I thought a 2007 Huet Demi-Sec (Le Haut Lieu?) was just a bit grumpy, but with a good future. My 1989 Foreau Demi-Sec was good, with ginger, wool, and apple. Fu n to try as it seems to be an unusual bottle (this is lone bottle in Cellar tracker).There was 2013 Champalou as well, which I thought pretty good, but hard to say as I only tasted towards end of night.

Riesling and friends Without coordination what are the chances of 2 bottles of 1999 Nikolaihof? I brought the 1999 Steiner Hund, which was just as I remembered- steely, st ony, long , and rich, with just a hint of petrol. Not sure who brought the '99 Im Weingebirge but it was lovely in a somewhat softer fruitier style. I also quite like the (vintage?) Eminence Road Gewurztraminer -bright acids for Gewurz, gingery, fresh, light. I told the winemaker I like that it tast ed like Gewurztraminer without tasting like GEWURZTRAMINER!!! Varietal char acteristics without hitting you over the head.

Rhones I definitely liked the 1998 Voge Cornas VV, a little brett and lots of spic e. Someone told me the Jamet was the better Cote Rotie, but I don't think t here was such a thing, I think they were referring to the 1997 Jasmin Cote- Rotie. Which I liked, but I personally gave edge to the 1997 Ogier Cote-Rot ie. A very good bottle of 1990 Ch. de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape had th e funk, but not at all overwhelming, with good rich backbone of fruit.

A sidetrip to the Levant and Bordeaux When it's on, the 1991 Ch. Musar is one of my favorite bottles of Musar. Th is one was on, with just a hint of volatility, great fruit and depth. I've long been a fan of the 1990 La Louviere, and this did nothing to change my mind.

US Reds The 2012 Edmunds St John Rocks and Gravel was lovely if young. I had intend ed to double-decant the 1993 Edmunds St John Durell Syrah beforehand, but t ime had interfered, so it was tight on opening, but with some time in decan ter it showed quite nicely. A 1995 Phelps Insignia was nice in a plump styl e, while a 1985 Beringer was mature and rich, though it seemed to get a bit pruney in my glass. The 2012 Rhinestones (Bow and Arrow) is a PN/Gamay ble nd, to me tastes more of latter, reminds me of Loire PN, leafy, fresh, gree n, bright, prickly. Good picnic wine

The 1979 Olga Raffault Picasses Chinon was ethereal, elegant, fragrant, and pretty. A 1996 Rinaldi Barolo was very tight early, opened up- very earthy. I know I missed an Amarone and a Sagrantino, plus I remember seeing a Felsina Chia nti without any memory of tasting it.

Not really notes as much as observations, but certainly one of the higher s uccess rates of any larger gathering I've been too. The food and the compan y were off the charts. Fun night.

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DaleW
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