I was in HMart for other things, but when I saw lobsters were $9/lb dinner plans changed. Steamed lobster, sauteed Shanghia tips, mushrooms, and the 2020 F. Carillon Bourgogne Blanc. Weird artificial cork. Pear, a little hazelnut, moderate acids, good and did well with lobster, (but I kept wishing I was drinking the Fichet VV). B
Our “Bordeaux” group did Burgundies at Wu’s Wonton Wednesday. Fried anchovies, snow peas with dried scallop, a half suckling pig, lamb with black pepper, razor clams in black bean sauce with vegetables, lobster cantonese, fried rice.
2007 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Lovely, pear and flaky pastry, lemon zest, elegant mousse, long finish with chalky minerality. A-2018 Marie Courtin Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut Apple, cherry, blood orange, saline finish, pretty good but paled next to the Comtes. B+/B
1985 Jadot Corton-Charlemagne Wow, so young, so pure. Pear, almond skins, a citrus note, long complex finish. A-1989 Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne Hanging on, but just (a recent bottle have more oomph). Apples, butterscotch, nutty finish. B-/B .
2005 Marc Colin Corton-Charlemagne Pear, mango, lemon curd. Plenty of life left, but not super complex for CC. B/B+Blind white- Bosc pear, white peach, Earl Grey, Big with good acids. I thought Chardonnay, but wasn’t close. But neither was anyone else. No one expects the Spanish Inquisition or Gutedel. 2015 Ziereisen Jaspis 10^4 Alte Reben Gutedel B+
1999 Ampeau Volnay-Santenots 1er Spicy cherries, touch of barnyard, moderate length. B/B+1999 Michel Gaunoux Grands Epenots Pommard 1er Floral, red and black cherry, tar, a light smoked meat note. Midbodied, elegant for Pommard, quite long. A-
2003 Vougeraie Les Mazoyeres CharmesChambertin Ripe plummy red fruit, vanillin oak, char. Not my style C+Blind red- lovely balanced red. Someone immediately got Burg and then CdB, but then we struggled (Jay said I should have at least got producer). Young, black cherry and mocha, fresh acids, nice length. 2016 Drouhin Beaune Greves A-/B+
1996 Chevillon Cailles Nuits St Georges 1er Lovely showing- black cherry, smoke, a little coffee. Elegant and precise. A-1999 Chevillon Les Saint George Nuits St Georges 1er First bottle was advanced, but Jay had generously brought a second as backup. Needed more air, but nice bottle with red and black cherry, fragrant sandalwood/incense, green herbs. B+ and getting better
2005 Jadot Clos St Jacques Gevrey-Chambertin 1er I think this will be a great wine but even with lots of air a bit shut in now. Powerful with dark fruits and roast meats. Needs time. B+/B for now, pretty sure A range at some point.1996 Jadot Clos St Jacques Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Still a bit of tannin, big black and red cherry, smoke, coffee, very good but acids seem to be the tiniest bit screechy. B+
All in all a very good night, really enjoyed all but 2 wines, loved food, loved company.
Thursday takeout Chinese before a board meeting and trip to city, I longed for Wu’s.
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.