| | Seven of us gathered for dinner at this venerable Lincoln Park spot. The food was fantastic as usual and the wine not too shabby either. Thanks for all the generous contributions! Champagne What start! Served as an apertif and also with seafood risotto. - 1995 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Cuvée Creation - France, Champagne
Aromatic nose of white fruits and yeast. Full bodied on the palate --- a meal in the glass! --- and well balanced by an acidic edge. Nice interplay of bready notes, apples and citrus fruit. Excellent bubbly.
- N.V. Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée - France, Champagne
Nose has fresh apple, pear and ctirus fruits. Palate is crisp, light-to medium bodied and vibrant. Full of zesty citrus fruits and nuts. Lighter-on-its-feet than the 95 Vilmart Creation, but also excellent.
Barolo With grilled duck breast and Veal Saltimbocca. - 1990 Parusso Barolo Bussia Vigna Rocche - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
A classic, full and singing boquet of dark fruits, tar and roses. The palate is elegant yet powerful with spicy dark fruits, leather, truffles and tar notes. Still youthful with plenty of tannins and fruit to provide for long-term aging. Top notch.
Aged Cabs With lamb gnocchi. - 1986 Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Sonoma Mountain - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain
Singing nose of classic mountain fruit --- green herbs, cedar, anise and spicy currant fruit. In the mouth, a complex expression of cabernet --- cedar, earth, green herbs, cassis and currant fruit. Mature bordeaux-like structure of dusty, aged tannin and restrained fruit. Seamless through to a long finish. This is superb and drinking at the top of its game.
- 1991 Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Art Series - Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River
Tell tale cabernet notes of green herbs (Paul called it with "dill") and currant fruit. The palate had currants, tobacco leaf and cedar notes. Still quite youthful with significant dusty tannins and abundant fruit. Very nice.
Big Reds With Tuscan-styled porterhouse. - 1998 Castello dei Rampolla Vigna d'Alceo - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
An impressive, layered and youthful wine. The nose has primary currant fruit on top of anise and graphite notes. Fresh and full of youthful fruits on the palate. Allthough the fruits are fresh and development still primary, the tannins have already started to soften. Still needs a couple of years for peak drinking.
- 2004 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
The most singular wine of dinner and an outstanding experssion of Barossa valley winemaking. A wide open and lush nose of nose of caramel, brown sugar and creme brulee crust over sweet plum fruits. The palate is huge and unctuous with concentrated spicy, toasty sweet fruits. Focused from the start to the long finish. Not for everyone, but simply excellent.
Sauternes With assorted desserts. - 1988 Château Rieussec - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Aromatic with orange, honey and boytris notes. The soft, ripe fruits show restraint and maturity. Elegant textrue glides across the palate. Long finish. Wonderful sticky that's in a great place.
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