With some leftovers, the 2008 Pavelot “les Peuillets” Savigny-les-Beaune 1er. Open, red fruited, soem tobacco leaf and sandalwood. Tasty if not super long. Seems to be pretty ready (2008s seem to be all over the place) B
A year or so ago Betsy realized a friend had grown up in the Dutch Reformed community in Grand Rapids, as had her BIL. She decided to set up a dinner, it finally happened Saturday. Some comparisons of their growing up, but conversation was more about music (3 classical musicians and one sound editor at table), but Cathleen and I also talked about wine. All in all a very fun night.
I had miscalculated farmer’s market dates, so menu got some slight twists, and I almost forgot opening nibbles, but managed to get a variety of smoked fish canapes out.
2005 Philipponnat “Clos des Goisses” Brut Smoky, chalky, nutty. Complex nose, elegant mousse, though not the length of a great vintage. Ready,. B+/A-First sitdown course was sauteed scallops with orange and puntarelle a la Romano
2021 JC Bachelet Les Macherelles Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Lovely, refined, and vivid, with pear, apple blossoms, and citrus. Plenty of verve. A-2021 JC Bachelet Les Aubues Puligny-Montrachet 1er Less refined and less defined than the Chassagne, broader apple fruit. I did like it more with air, but never approached its brother. Still good acids and easy to drink. B
Ming Tsai’s short ribs (star anise, soy, etc) and orzo/cabbage
1985 Latour a Pomerol Seemed a little tired at first, but picked up steam through night. No blockbuster, but an elegant midweight, with black plum and raspberry, cedar, and espresso. B+1983 L’Evangile An old fave, but I thought a bit muted (as did Cathleen). Still, the table seemed to enjoy. But during cleanup I retasted, and became pretty sure it was actually corked. NR
Then a salad and some cheese (Mont St. Francis Capriole, Nancy’s Camembert, Ossau Iraty) , followed by Cathleen’s carrot/almond cake
2008 Fevre Montee de Tonnere Chablis 1er Snappy acids, a bit less developed/complex than previous bottle, but still interesting. B+Oysters, red perch, hakurei turnips, turnip/puntarelle greens, leftover orzo
2012 Mt EdenReserve Chardonnay Pear, a little citrus, and a light hazelnutty oak note. With air it gets a floral/honeysuckle note. Long finish. B+/A-Good weekend, before a 7-10 day dry spell.
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 party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.