Christmas bottles, France and California

Mike Tommasi wrote in news:5tf0fcF1c6k73U1 @mid.individual.net:

Bitch is actually a pretty good Grenache, not on par with the better Grenaches but better than most in its price point.

- Joseph Coulter, cruises and vacations

So we need to find a wine called "Slap", then we can serve an Evil Bitch Slap dinner.

Mike, great beef is not hard to get in Normandy. But you probably know that already... ;)

With our excellent Norman standing rib and yorkshire we had an '85 Amiral de Beychevelle, which turned up in the cellar and needed to be slated for immediate dispatch. It was tired but still hale, lots of tobacco and leather, good black cherry still and obviously very soft.

With the foie gras d'oie a 95 Coteaux du Layon "Prestige" from Roullet, really well integrated with fine acid, citrus and boitrytis. Not too sweet, almost "tendre" which in out cold cellar means it started that way.

Bubbly was a cremant de Cheverny, "Reveries" from Belier. Nice toast and length, medium bubbles, pleasant but outclassed by the smoked wild salmon.

Happy Christmas to all,

-E

Sounds delicious Emery !

Nice notes. What year was the Usseglio? Next time we go to France we'll smuggle you in some aged beef. :)

Ha, you know, I did not write it down, I think it was 2004