Dinner for a visiting Jonathan Loesberg.

Il Corso
Tasted Thursday, June 4, 2009 by BradKNYC with 448 views

Introduction

Jonathan Loesberg was in town and it was decided it was time to Jeebus. Joe Dougherty, Sharon Bowman, Jeff Grossman, Salil Benegal, Don Rice, Cliff Rosenberg and I gathered at Il Corso for a lovely dinner. With Jeff assigned note duties, I just jotted down a few of the wines that stood out for me.

Flight 1 (3 Notes)

  • 1993 Domaine des Baumard Savennières Clos du Papillon

    France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières

    Quite a nice showing for this one. This was pretty acidic on release, but time has mellowed it out nicely. Aging gracefully with quince, mineral, honey, yellow flowers and nuttiness on the nose and palate. It's precise, but also shows nice richness. It's fresher and younger with less oxidation than some '96's and '97's I've had over the past few years, much to my chagrin. Drink or hold. A-/B+.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1957 Domaine Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Clos du Bourg

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

    From a release after the sale of the estate and topped off. Wow! This is showing beautifully and better than a bottle at the Huet Fete Part III. Developed, but it has that timeless Chenin freshness and vibrancy that seems to keep these wines immortal. It also is showing more youthfully than the '64 Moelleux that followed. Rich and complex with just a hint of sweetness, it shows mineral, shoe polish, quince and apricot flavors with a touch of oxidation. It actually wasn't that expressive on the nose, but if there's one lesson to be learned it's that don't be afraid to give old Huet lots of air. These wines will only get better as the hours go by. Solid A-.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1964 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Le Mont

    France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

    From an original bottle with an original cork. Some mustiness on the nose which is fairly typical of old Chenin. Indeed those not so familiar with Chenin Blanc might've argued it was a defective bottle, but it was just Chenin being Chenin. Honeyed, but not all that sweet. Indeed it had a richer mouthfeel than the '57 demi-Sec, but was not all that much sweeter. Dessicated apricot, nuts and earl grey tea notes with a bit of bitterness on the finish. With air, however, the bitterness dissipated and the wine took on a beautiful marzipan character with a bit of orange marmalade. The mouthfeel also seemed to grow richer and more harmonious. Lovely wine and maybe a shade better showing than a bottle I opened in January in Paris. A-.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

×
×