A little going away event for Salil got moved to my place rather than city, easier on a work night. We had baba ganoush, lamb, stuffed squash blossoms , salad, squash, smoked trout ( I missed Betsy, she would have done a bette r job with the blossoms and wouldn’t have overdressed salad). Salil brought chicken and dal, Cathleen and Steve brought a nice cheese ass ortment. Special thanks to Steve for his grilled help as I struggled to get stuff to gether (no Betsy and a work day meant I was a bit behind)
On the patio
2009 Colet Navazos A sparkling wine produced in a flor environment, but didn’t remind me of sherry. Nice complex yeasty nose, simpler on palate with apples and c itrus zest. B
1985 Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon I really thought this was teetering on the edge when first opened, but it r evived a bit. This particular bottle tasted more like it was from 70s, but experienced people thought it was the bottle. It actually got better when r evisited after a couple hours, powerful style with lovely bready/nutty fini sh. B+/B
1989 Trimbach Gewurztraminer I blinded group- Salil got Alsace, John Gewurz and Trimbach on first guesse s, but they assumed the SdR, everyone was surprised there was so much life in a yellow label at 27. Lychee, ginger, good acid for Gewurz. B
Back to table
1971 Sterling Pinot Noir I’ve had some good bottles of this, but not this one (fill was fair ly low and cork a little sunken). Dead, dead, is no more, bereft of life, t his is an ex-pinot C-
1986 Ch. L’ Arrosee Nice showing like last week. Pretty, sweet black plums with cigarbox and co ffee. Gets a little leafy in a nice way. A-/B+
1986 Ch Pichon Lalande A little tight at first, showing that ‘86 Medoc masculine side , op ens nicely towards end, cassis with pencil shavings, tobacco, and earth. A- /B+
1981 Ch. Pichon Lalande Drinking well if you don’t mind a touch of barnyard.Good dark fruit s, a pointe, good finish. B+
1959 Ch. Talbot Thanks Salil. Nice truffly/mushroomy note on nose, fresh black fruit, nice acidic balance. Long and full, holds up well over couple hours. A-
1990 Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape This a nice ripe mature CdP, but there’s a bit of VA, Fleshy, spice , red fruited, but a little disjointed. Maybe a teeny bit off? B
1993 Taittinger Comtes des Champagnes I don’t know much about ‘93 Champagne but maybe I should le arn. Lovely BdB, fine mousse, citrus and chalk, elegant. A-
2001 JJ Christoffel Urziger Wurzgarten Spatlese Couldn’t have a Salil event without Riesling. Vibrant acids, rich s picy fruits, beautiful tension. Full and very long. I so love 2001 Mosel. A-
Good way to send off Salil to the Midwest
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.