For Christmas dinner my wife made a standing rib roast and we drank a very good Claret which was a fine match.
1994 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Drinking very well tonight. A classic Pauillac nose of woodsmoke, graphite, and cigar box. The woodsy elements mingle with ripe blackberry fruit, and overall the wine seems still young. It has medium body and still plenty of tannin left, but it is not drying, just a pleasant structure supporting the finish. Very refreshing wine with 12.5% abv. From this bottle there is no rush to drink this, but it is very enjoyable now.
On Boxing Day we had the left overs with Stroganoff which was also a good match. The beef dish was made from a reduced beef stock with mushrooms and some fresh thyme that echoed the Chinon flavors.
2005 Catherine et Pierre Breton Chinon Beaumont
Last night this approached the Platonic ideal of Chinon. Pretty nose with ripe fruit and dried herbs. Gets a little wet cement minerals with air. Bright and lively, with a good bit of tannin framing everything. Could even live and develop for a few years, but I'd be cautious as it is sealed with a plastic cork. Delicious with beef Stroganoff from the leftover rib roast. We polished the bottle off very quickly, it was so easy to drink.