On Christmas Eve we started with a couple bottles of NV Michel Turgy Blanc de Blanc Reserve. We had visted M. Turgy a number of times over the years as he is in Mesnil-Sur-Oger right across from the famed Clos de Mesnil. The wine was a bit one dimentional and slightly flat. Not a bad bottle to serve to a crowd for cocktails and hors. Moved on to a prime beef rib roast from Allen Brothers and I opened a 1998 Jaboulet La Chapelle and a 2005 SQN Atlantis Syrah.
1998 Jaboulet La Chapelle-Medium red in the glass showing a clear rim. Bright nose of red berries a bit of cherry, beef blood, red beet and sage. Medium weight on the palate. Elegant and polished with smooth red and black fruits, a bit of beef blood and minerals. A nice balance "A-"
2005 Sine Qua Non Atlantis Syrah-Black in the glass. Blackberries and earth on the nose with a bit of black pepper. Dense on the palate with a deep ripeness yet not cloying or jammy. This guy is making very interesting wines that keep growing on me. "B+"
Last night we made D'Artagnan's duck cassoulet. I opened a bottle of
2002 Dom Perignon to go with the apps. and a bottle of 2004 Anne Gros Clos Vougeot.
2004 Anne Gros Clos Vougeot-Medium reddish purple in the glass. Nose of pinot fruit, a bit of spicy cedar notes. Deep black fruit and black cherry flavors with an earthy, woodsy finish. Good not great. "B"