Pre-Mothers' Day gathering at Holger's and Shelley's

Tasted Saturday, May 7, 2011 by thomaskeil with 442 views

Introduction

Pre Mothers’ Day dinner at Holger and Shelley’s with Shelley performing real magic in the kitchen. Kelley and Sean were there along with Nancy and I. A very nice dinner party, especially with such a line-up of wine all from Holger’s cellar.

Flight 1 - Pan-seared foie gras with sautéed pineapple and duck pate (1 Note)

2008 Weingut Pfeffingen Ungsteiner Herrenberg Mandelskopf Riesling Großes Gewächs 92 Points

Germany, Pfalz

This wine had a distinct pineapple note on the nose and palate that set off the pineapple in the dish. Also it had citrus, nuts, stones, and creamy/oil aromas. On the palate the weight promised by the rich nose is mostly there, but it is also dry and cut with a crisp mineral-acidity giving it a lighter feel.

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Flight 2 - White fish soup with tamarind and Philippine spices (1 Note)

2008 F.X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner Smaragd 'M' 94 Points

Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau

Exotic nose of white fruits, flinty mineral and floral/herb notes. Palate is both penetrating and ethereal. Exudes finesse and complexity. Great length. Even following a very distinct and expressive dry Riesling this GV really showed its class. Stunning.

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Flight 3 - Duck breast with roasted pears and port wine sauce. (1 Note)

2005 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Garnacha Aquilon 92 Points

Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja

Decanted several hours. Interesting to revisit this wine 3 years later. The nose still offers up huge black and red berries as well as bacon/coffee and oak notes that express as chocolate/vanilla. The wine slathers the palate with super rich dark fruits that lean towards sweetness. But it seemed to me that the structure noted before was diminished this go round and did not quite balance out the truly amazing deep but pure fruit as well as I remember from before. Silky and thick with a touch of acidity. Some complexity, not finesseful. Some thought this the best wine experience of their life (I can understand that).

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Flight 4 - Wagyu ribeyes with French white beans and carrots (1 Note)

2006 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 94 Points

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

From magnum. Decanted several hours. Interesting contrast in Grenache to the Aquilon right from the start. This had a tight nose that featured cherry and red berry notes, mineral, herbs and some earth. The palate had deep penetrating fruit that was wound pretty tight. While the fruit was penetrating, the words lush and sweet never enter the mind. This has loads of tannins and a good dose of acidity and mineral. It’s well balanced for sure and really packed, but could use several years to unwind and develop, especially in magnum. Over the evening with swirling, the nose started showing more layers and the palate could sense the complexity to come. 94+

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Flight 5 - Pecan and raisin tarts (1 Note)

2005 Château La Tour Blanche Sauternes 92 Points

France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

This Sauternes matches my notes from 2.5 years ago. Loads of tropical fruits, apricot and a nutty, creamy richness. It is nicely cut with acidity as well. Very nice and great accompaniment to the dessert tarts.

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