A couple of quick notes on the International Wine and Food Society 30th Anniversary President's dinner.
Champagne Jacquesson Cuvee 735 NV - Bready, sourdough at the start then turns very lemony. Very good with the fresh oysters and easy to drink.
Zind Humbrecht Clos Windsbuhl Pinot Gris Turckheim 2007 - The nose shows ripe tropical fruit but on the palate, very acidic. Not what I expected from Zind Humbrecht. Lots of citrus and unripe pineapple.Lean, bony wine. Unfortunately, not a great match with the foie gras which really needed something more unctuous.
Louis Jadot Corton Charlemagne Grand cru 2004 - Very nice. About perfect now. Slightly honeyed and rich. Silky wine. A great match for the lobster ravioli.
Louis Jadot Beaune Clos des Ursules 2006 - A rather lightish Beaune. Raspberry and strawberry dominate. Touch of tobacco. It was OK with the duck but I think a heavier Burgundy would have been a better match.
Chateau Pontet Canet 2000 - Very dark, youthful looking. Meaty nose. Full bodied. Classic Cabernet blackcurrant mixed in with cigar tobacco. Still a little tight. Perhaps revisit after 3 years. A good match for the lamb.
Chateau Latour 1998 - Attractive nose. Licorice. Ripe blackberry. Tannins might need a a bit more time for softening. A bit lighter than what I was expecting. Good wine but I was expecting more.
Grahams Quinta dos Malvedos 1992 - Fully mature. Nice and smooth. Milk chocolate and raisins. Great with the cheese. Drink up if you have this.
Chateau d'Yquem 1994 - One of the wines raffled off during the course of the dinner and won by Dong Puno who, fortunately, was at our table. He generously had it chilled and opened for our enjoyment. Gorgeous, classic Sauternes nose. Apricot, burnt sugar, honey, candied pineapple. Not a real heavyweight but still an excellent wine with a good deal of acidity to freshen it up. Completely outclassed the Huet Clos du Bourg Moelleux 2005 which, in a any case, lacked the sweetness to stand up to the tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.
A fun evening in which everyone took home a great bottle of wine thanks to the generous contributions of some of the members. Among the bottles raffled off were a Latour 2002, Valandraud 1997, Haut Brion 1993, Marcassin Chardonnay, Heitz Martha's Vineyard, Rayas 1996 and a couple of other gems.