JULIA CHILD BYO CdP+ French Bistro Dinner Party

Participants: Carlos Deupi; Roberta & David Ehrenreich; Edith & Bob Hudson; Eddie LeClerc; hosts - Ellen & Mark Friedman

Shortbreads complemented the Krug perfectly.

• 1995 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut 93 Points

  France, Champagne

  Took Eddie's advice, decanted in bottle shaped Tiffany decanter, and let breathe and warm for 20 minutes begore guests arrival. Drank very well and could actually taste the Champagne, as opposed to previous experience.

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Ellen's/Julia's Soupe a l'Oignon was superb, as good, if not better than her many prior efforts. Paired perfectly with the CdP Blanc.

• 1998 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Roberta & David's Wine. David said he should have given it a longer decant. I don't think so. Beautiful amber gold, great flavor, made my baby 07 pale(in color and flavor) by comparison.Also good minerality.

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• 2007 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Ellen & Mark's wine. Forgot to warm and decant, although drank after the superior(at this trime) 98. Paled in comparison to the richer complex 98. Will have to wait on my remaining 07's 5+ years.

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I made the mistake of using the 07 Constant-Duquesnoy Cotes-du-Rhone for the Coq au Vin. It was too acidic, and required sugar/salt/butter adjustment to the sauce.

• 2003 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Ellen & Mark's wine.Decanted f0r 2+ hrs. Lighter more fruitful CdP, but couldn't match the WOTN the 98 Boisrenard. For the evening all the older more mature CdP's showed much better than their younger counterparts.

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• 1998 Domaine de Beaurenard (Paul Coulon et Fils) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Boisrenard 95 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Carlos' wine(purchased from me). Decanted for 2+ hrs. For Ellen, Eddie, Carlos and I the WOTN. Complex flavorful CdP which still had good fruit.
  My guess on timing was correct the last time we tried it. At a peak now. Outshone the 03 Rayas, and its 03 sibling. There were a few ounces left in the decanter the next evening, and miraculously it still drank as well as the prior evening.

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• 2003 Domaine de Beaurenard (Paul Coulon et Fils) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Boisrenard 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Eddie's wine. From Magnum, decanted upon arrival, so breathed for 1+ hrs. Profile identical to its 98 sibling, but lacked the complexity and evolution of the 98.

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Made with 60% Ghiardelli Chocolate. Superb, but dense and benefitted from the whipped cream.

• 2001 Château Rieussec 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Ellen & Mark's wine. For Eddie the WOTN. Still retains its wonderful flavor profile, and acidity.

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Tomme de Crayeuse; Dolce Gorgonzola; Cypress Grove Lamb Chopper(sheep); Capricho de Cabra w&w/o Herbs(goat)
Condiments: Truffle Honey; Red Bell Pepper & Ancho Chili Jam; Fig Almond Spread

• 1989 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 94 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Edith & Bob's wine. Bob had decanted prior to arrival. WS WOTY. Excellent mourvedre driven CdP, that on this evening seemed to take a back seat to the 98 Boisrenard.
  Bob discussed their trip to Australia, including Torbreck, and I couldn't help but think what a wonderful comparison there could be between Torbreck's PICT(Mourvedre), and this classic Beaucastel.
  Bob did prefer it to the group's choice of the 98 Boisrenard.

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• 1994 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Roberta & David's Wine. Showed very well compared to its heralded sibling the 89.

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The lesson from tonight's sumptuos Bistro dinner was that Chateauneuf du Pape white or red clearly improves with age, and as tempting as they can be early in life, one is shortchanging themself if they don't save them for 5 to 10 years later.