A nice group met at Wu’s Wonton King at edge of Chinatown last nigh t. Steamy day, but AC worked well. We had preordered king crab and a half p ig. Lots of lovely food: Our 11.5 lb crab was served 3 ways- half the legs steamed with garlic, othe r half fried, then fried rice in the carapace The roasted pig was served like P-duck- in pancakes with hoisin, then rest of carcass brought out Cold jellyfish Squid with anchovies Pea shoots Veal chops (only dish I’d skip next times) For dessert eaters mango gelatin and red bean soup I think my 5th time there, still haven’t tried a wonton (there will come a day).
The wines
MV Krug This was a 2015 disgorgement of a 2007 base. Nice nose, good acid, everyone elseloved, but I can appreciate but not love Krug. B/B+
2010 Agrapart Mineral Blanc de Blancs Champagne Extra Brut I preferred this, perfect on a hot day. Apple and pit fruits with lots of c halk and citrus zest, killer crisp. Like a serious PC Chablis with bubbles. B+/A- 2010 Raveneau “Butteaux” Chablis 1er Cru Maybe this was just shutdown, but I thought it needed more cut and oomph. P erfectly acceptable PC Chablis, but at current Raveneau prices you need mor e. To be fair, I gave it a B when making notes, but enjoyed more a later po ur that seemed more giving and bright. 1992 Sauzet “Combettes” Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru A reminder of why we (used to) age white Burgundy. Apple and some rather ex otic tropical fruit, yet with snappy acids. There’s just a hint of incipient oxidation, and it did fade at end of bottle, so I wouldn’ t hold much longer, but this bottle was a pointe for most of bottle. A-/B+2011 Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne Delicious bottle of BdM. Full.pear with a touch of hazelnut, floral/blossom notes. Good length. Too bad I don’t dare age these anymore B+/A-
1999 Jean Boillot “Clos du Roi” Beaune 1er Cru New Boillot to me. Raspberry and cherry, a little dirt, ok but not compelli ng. B/B-2001 de Courcel “les Rugiens” Pommard 1er Cru This showed refined/elegant for de Courcel, but think that was a function o f being next to the rustic Gaunoux. Black cherry and cocoa, a bit of tannin yet rather lush on palate. Some others liked slightly more. B+/B
2001 M. Gaunoux Les Grands Épenots Pommard 1er Cru Acid and tannin, lots of earth notes, red cherries and beets. A tad tough a t moment. B1999 M. Gaunoux Les Grands Épenots Pommard 1er Cru My red of the night. Red and black cherry, orange zest, smoke. Tannins in b ackground, acids in balance. Young but quite drinkable. B+/A-
Fun night, great food, great group.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a p arty where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.