Great dinner last night for all the staff (20 with guest) from my fave winestore and as I assist with tastings, I was again invited. Great little restaurant here in town, the Red Ox Inn, exceptional food and caring wine service.
NV Laurent-Perrier Ultra Brut (blue label).
Nice reception wine, quite dry, fine mousse, mild yeasty tones, bracing acidity. Not sure of the house reputation?
`04 Puligny-Montrachet Le Trezin, Domaine d`Ardhuy.
I picked this to go with my crab cakes and tomato chutney! These French guys know chardonnay eh. Nice balanced focus, not over-oaked. Some licorice on the nose, minerally. Apple pear and hint of papaya but non-tropical all the way through. Very much appreciated. Could have drunk the whole bottle!
`05 Gewurztraminer Cuvee Lawrence, Domaine Weinbach, Alsace. (magnum).
Very slightly corked which only showed up ten minutes after opening. Waxy initially, drinks OK regardless of the cork problem. There is so much rich fruit here, someone had a dish with mascarpone mousse, great match I heard.
`04 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Vaucrains P Cru, Domaine Robert Chevillon.
Probably infanticide, smoky, good length, elegant. Needed more air-time, great with pork belly and the duck confit. Turned a tad barny after an hour in the decanter.
`96 Giovanni Manzone Barolo Le Gramolere.
I know very little about this house and even less about Barolo! This had class written all over it, way too young I`d say. Tar, oak, concentrated nose. Black fruits, asian tea, earthy, tight big tannins. Good dark color with some bricking. Sweetened out especially with the lamb rack. Huge finish too but not my style.
`97 Taurasi Radici Reserva Mastroberardino.
Only one bottle as #2 was corked but we all tasted. I thought this was pretty good. Light color, earthy leather nose with plummy prune tones. Hint of pine and faded flowers, good squirt of acidity. Fine grained tannins, dusty, ready to go, drink if you have it. Almost my wine of the night! Went very well with a taste of the duck confit.
`89 Musar.
Was only decanted for half an hour but showed really well and WOTN for quite a few, me included. No bias here forumites!
"Smells like a Rhone but has some Cab" was one comment. Not in the least barnyardy, plum, fragrant. Cherry tart finish, plum. Great wine for many of us, drinking so well.
`97 Torres Mas La Plana, Penedes.
Gosh, I remember these Torres wines from many years back. Drying out a little, nice depth of Cab Sauv color. Went very well with the lamb, a few would rather talk about the `03 (which we did not have). Those eating duck were very content. Seems I have been missing out eh. Very nice wine here.
`95 Cimicky Barossa Cab Sauv/Cab Franc.
Fruit bomb guys were all a ga-ga! I thought of those terrific Daylight Chambers Shiraz. This leafy red was not for me however and sure needed some food. Move on to dessert!
`03 Vouvray Champalou Trie de Vendage.
I spent a lot of time explaining Troisieme Trie!! Lovely Chenin Blanc which was great with pecan pie and bread and butter pud. Not bad with chocolate cake but a complete bust with the lemon pie. That need a Moscato!
There was also a Recioto but no notes. What a great evening!
Wines came either from the store or from various cellars.