Birthday Wines for Mr. Wei at Chateau De Husky
Tasted Friday, June 29, 2012 - Monday, July 2, 2012 by clayfu with 806 views
Introduction
Six of us gathered at my residence, Chateau De Husky, to commemorate Mr. Juyuan Wei's 21st birthday and the coming ban of Foie Gras in California. Bryan Flannery sent over three absolutely beautiful Jorge Cuts that we paired with two pounds of Grade A Foie Gras prepared as Nigiri Sushi and Brussel Sprouts, Crimini Mushrooms with diced Foie Gras.
The food was great and so was the wine as it's always a pleasure to have so many great champagnes in one sitting as well as so many nice burgs (and a bordeaux). It was real fun to try the 96s side by side! We also had a 2010 Henri Boillot Corton Charlie and 90 Suidarat that I didn't make notes on, but both were drinking very well!
Flight 1 - Champers! (4 Notes)
I thought the 88 Krug was the winner in this one. 96 Salon was right behind it, but the fullness of the 88 outpaced them Salon.
Flight 2 (6 Notes)
I love Dujac. I love Dujac CLos De La Roche in great vintages. I can drink that stuff all day.
1996 Dom Pérignon Champagne Oenothèque
France, Champagne
(7/2/2012)
Very interesting champagne. The nose was a bit off putting as the bready nutty flavor was so powerful that it took me by surprise. I expected a more high toned yellow fruit to lead the way on the nose. But on the palate the wine was full and lush and coats every receptor with a creamy chalk and bright explosive citrus fruit. Compared to the early releases of the 96 Dom (normal bottling) this doesn't have the precision of acid but not in a bad way as I've yet to have a 96 Dom that is an expansive on the palate as the Oenotheque is.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
1988 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut
France, Champagne
(7/2/2012)
I'm such a huge fan of this wine. "Powerfully elegant" is probably the best term. Everything is in place but with a touch of citrus, a touch of nuttiness, a touch of cream with a few spins of acidity and minerals as they all integrate together into a full bodied attack on the palate. Each bottle I've had has been so consistent unlike the 96. It doesn't reach the heights of the 96 in aspects of complexity and power, but for a consistently incredible balanced drink this is the Krug to go to
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
1996 Salon Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut
France, Champagne
(7/2/2012)
Pretty similar notes as before. Very concentrated but linear flavors of citrus and acid. The acidity is almost piercing as it attacks the palate. Classic BDB with high toned flavors, this wine rarely disappoints as the flavors are so precise that you can almost pinpoint every sensation.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
1996 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut
France, Champagne
(7/2/2012)
I feel like everytime I write a note on this wine it's different. Since a run of 3 really great powerful dense bottles of 96 Krug I thought I had avoided the dreaded bottle variation that had plagued the first 2-3 bottles I had of the 96. Unfortunately it reared its head again (mildly at least). Still had that classic punch in your face acid and citrus but then it had this awkward saline flavor at the end of the fruit that lingered on the finish. It wasn't that bothersome, but it made an otherwise powerhouse fall a bit flat on the side.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue