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Christmas wines

Christmas eve is chicken enchilada time for us so match wise neve the best, so I just decided to go for something I like but normally wouldn't have so

2003 Ribera de Duero reserva from de Restia a full rich temparnillo that went well actually great night. Christmas day, I finally got the OK for pinot for Christmas and thought that the best way I could do it was with Chalone the estate bottling. we had a 2004 and a 2007. The 2004 was a closeout so always a bit of a worry is it over the hill? The short answer, NO. the 2004 was richer, smoother and perfectly suited for drinking. The 07 was comparatively green with a hint of sourness in the finish. To be honest I wouldn't have noticed if it hadn't been in comparison, but it was there.

Value wise the Ribera was a steal at $18-$19 (IIRC may have been a tad less definitely not more) while the Chalone at 30 and 35 respectively was a bit pricy. The Spanish red keep on keeping on.

And speaking of Spanish. my best Christmas present (we don't really do givts so much anymore) was a bottle of Cardenal Mendoza Brandy de Jerez Solers Gran Reserva from Romate. this brandy is smooth but the really nice thing is that the underlying wine is evident - in the finish you can taste the Sherry and it is velvety smooth to boot. . .

Reply to
jcoulter
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jcoulter wrote in news:kbeub7$g29$1@dont- email.me:

We drank our only bottle of Wind Gap Pinot Noir Woodruff Vineyard 2008 on Christmas Eve, to go with a veal roll (stuffed with dried apricots, plums, etc). Very, very good, and totally opposed to my idea of a California Pinot Noir, because it was bone dry, only 12,3% alc, with a very low colour and really spicy on the nose. An excellent and very interesting wine that I was very happy to put on the table on such a night. Only 440 bottles produced

For us, it was La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 1978 which I double decanted at home before going to my in-laws. Very bright colour, with a lot of old church notes, incense and excellent balance in the mouth. No fruit, and I think I would rather drink such a wine 10 years earlier.

Brandy de Jerez should be about the aging in old Sherry casks (typically Oloroso). Some people love it, some people hate it.

I am glad you are drinking to help the Spanish Balance of Payments!!!

s.

Reply to
santiago

El gusto es mio:)

Reply to
jcoulter

WIth Smoked Salmon and blinis NV Larmandier Bernier Rose de Saignee Champagne. Nose of tart cherries. A large red fruit flavor profile with an almost bitter or tannic finish. Not a favorite of mine but others raved. It was a bit rustic and tough. C+

With assorted lobster, scallops and oyster apps. 2009 Chateau Puligny Montrachet (Montille) Meursault Les Pierriers. Lemon curd nose. Soft minerality on the palate with plenty of citrus and concentration. The first I've had this producer and was pleased. B+

WIth roasted tenderloin of beef. 1999 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon. Still dark purple in the glass no visable signs of age. Nose of Napa dust and a bit of horse barn. Palate shows blackberry, black cherry and bit of cedar and a fair amount of earthy mineral notes. Still good fruit and tannins are fine and lush. A-

Reply to
Bi!!

For us chicken enchiladas mean good margaritas, rarely wine.

Reply to
lleichtman

Larmandier-Bernier seems to be divisive, I'm not generally a fan, but lots of folks I respect love them.

Reply to
DaleW

Wind Gap sounds lovely. Thanks to both of you for notes

Reply to
DaleW

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