Last night I attended a Berserkerfest event at Peking Duck House. Brad was kind enough to invite me to join his table, with a nice mix of friends ol d and new. We had a appetizer assortment (rib, spring roll, satay, dumpling , chicken/lettuce cup, etc) and then 3 ducks for our table. A few other dis hes (beef with mushroom, Chinese broccoli, green beans, etc) and a load of wines
Whites
1991 Lauer Riesling Sekt I liked more than table. Medium bodied, citrus and a little dough, when rev isited towards end of night there was a hint of petrol to remind you it? ??s Riesling. B+/B
2014 Sandlands Chenin Blanc. I think everyone was surprised at the oak, though I didn’t find it as offensive as some. It was ripe, kind of lemon meringue pieish. B-
2014 Nicolas Faure “La Corvee de Bully” Bourgogne Aligote New producer to me (I think JBTruax said the producer was 26, and had worke d for Chave and DRC). Really excellent Aligote, with steely mineral acids framing a fuller fruit profile than most Aligote. B++
2007 Huet Le Haut Lieu Franc de Pied Vouvray Maybe this was a bit tight, but I liked (Brad said he’s had better showings, but I’ve never seen this bottling). Sec-tendre, tart gree n fruit with some smoke and gunflint, fun to try. B+/B
2014 Rhys Horseshoe Chardonnay Young, some oak showing but a fine citrus/mineral base, I liked more than s ome others. Need time. B+?
2002 Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Kabinett I’d call this Spatlese sweetness, but with crisp acids, Saar green apple and lime with some impressive floral/anise notes. A-/B+
1996 Trimbach “Cuvee Frederic Emile” Riesling (mag) ‘96 CFE in 750 has a high premox rate, but this mag was fine. Citru s, ginger, wet stones. I enjoyed a lot, but a slight lactic/cheesy note kep t it from greatness. B+
Another table brought over the 1995 Trimbach “Cuvee Frederic Emile ” Riesling (mag). Fun to taste side by side, very minerally, lean i n a way, but the fruit is clean and it has fine length. B+
Reds
2014 Clos Roche Blanche Gamay I’m a big CRB fan, but there’s a note to Gamay that always gets to me. Bright raspberries, herb, but also that “geranium? ? note I find so distracting. Everyone else loves. B-
2001 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Somehow I didn’t take any notes on this, though it was one of my fa vorite CdPs.
1995 Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape I’ve had this and not been impressed before, but this showed pretty well. Blacker fruit, herb, some light barnyard. B+
1998 Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Herby/garriguey, some light brett but not bothersome to me, red raspberry f ruit, good length. B+
1998 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf- du-Pape Somewhat volatile, some brett, tangy, some others liked more than I did. B- /C+
2003 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon I generally like KL but this mag struck me as a little kirschy - others lik ed much more, quite popular. B/B-
1971 Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon (mag) I double-decanted before catching my train -smelled and tasted great then, but was a little worried at first pour. Seemed thinner and a touch metallic . But that seems to pass. Nice oldstyle Napa, good acids, herby notes, mode rate fruit. A-/B+
1999 Jaboulet “La Chapelle” Hermitage OK, not totally sure, thought I remembered this as 98 but scribbling looks more like ‘99. Light tannins, some leather and meat, moderate black fruits. B/B-
Offerings from other tables
2014 Nicolas Faure “Les Herbues” Nuits Saint Georges Nice, bright, fresh. B
1983 Vogue Musigny Generous offer from another table, medium acids, sandalwood, nice flavors b ut I thought a little short. Others loved. B/B-
1996 Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja Riserva Young, vibrant, some tannin, very good. B+/A-
1999 George Mugneret Clos Vougeot Pretty, full, cocoa and black cherry, A-
One really gloppy CalCab I managed to block out
Dessert wines
1999 Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshole Auslese Great tropical flavors but too soft for me. B/B-
1988 Climens Full, rich, honied with apricot and beeswax. A-/B+
1989 Foreau Vouvray Reserve Wool, spice, orange marmalade/zest, great acids,. delicious and long. A-
1996 Baumard Quarts de Chaume Wax, apples, spice, but more advanced than I expected. B
I’m sure I forgot something! Fun night, fun people
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.