Ripple Restaurant in Washington D.C.
Tasted Thursday, January 8, 2015 by PanosKakaviatos with 668 views
Another year, another extra special holiday dinner with dear friends in Washington D.C. who love wine - and love sharing it. Everyone brought some fine bottles that we enjoyed at Ripple, an excellent wine friendly restaurant in Washington D.C. So many thanks to Amy Ray, Ken Barr, Karl Kellar, Chris Bublitz, Randy McFarlane, Paul Marquardt, Howard Cooper, David Zimmerman and Ken Brown, who did all the legwork to organise this amazing evening of great wines, fine food and excellent company. We enjoyed quite a lineup and I confess to getting a bit fatigued towards the end as it was rather impossible to spit out wines like Latour 1959 let alone Chambertin 1999 in a dinner setting. I will post photos on my website with more details but let's get to the wines...
Longer version with photos: http://www.wine-chronicles.com/blog/bordeaux-the-empire-strikes-back/
So many people still think that Champagne is not wine. Not most people who consult these pages, of course. But for the general public, you often get remarks like "I like wine, but not Champagne." Sheesh. This flight proves yet again how great a wine Champagne can be, with four excellent examples.
This flight seemed like a short respite. Alas one of the two was oxidized beyond merit. But it was a pleasure to savor the Corton Charlemagne.
Comparing two first growths from an excellent vintage like 1986 was such a treat. Of course everyone harps about the 100 point Mouton Rothschild, but Margaux was lovely from the get go. In the end, I prefer the Mouton, and if I had to choose between the two. Alas, the Figeac 1970 was shot.
Two Latours, two older vintages, two incredible treats.
A fascinating comparison between two Chambertins by Rossignol-Trapet in two very different yet consecutive vintages. These two wines alone were fantastic. Alas the Claude Dugat seemed monolithic and hard.
A surprisingly fine performance from Suduiraut in a vintage not known for being necessarily great in Sauternes. Alas the Climens 1971 seemed far too evolved by the Climens 1988 was excellent.
A superlative dinner, many thanks to the staff at Ripple for their excellent service and to the top notch cuisine of executive chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley. Until next year, dear Washington Winos, for another holiday dinner!
Longer version with photos: http://www.wine-chronicles.com/blog/bordeaux-the-empire-strikes-back/
1996 Dom Pérignon Champagne Oenothèque 96 Points
France, Champagne
If you love Champagne and have the budget, seek this out. Clear aspect, very fine bubbles. Subtle yet echoing and deep aromatics reflecting biscuit and toast but so finely matched by lively citrus aromas all followed through on the palate which began subtle but expanded to a full bodied aspect, with a silky light creamy texture - those fine bubbles tickling the palate - and a precise laser like focus from the vintage's excellent acidity leading to a long echoing finish. This wine was only recently released, disgorged after 12 years in bottle and has upside "point potential" for all you point chasers. Worthy of further aging in the cellar.
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NV Jacques Selosse Substance 95 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
A style of Champagne that takes some getting used to, given its oxidative aspects. This is made up of multiple vintages reaching back to the mid 1980s. Some critics, like Tom Stevenson, in an article he had published in the World of Fine Wine last year, would prefer a little less oak and a little less oxidation (http://www.worldoffinewine.com/news/champagne-selosse-the-house-that-jacques-built-4205321). But there is no denying the expressions of fruit and depth of flavors one encounters in this wine, and with most Selosse wines in general. Once you get past the initial note of hazelnut on the nose, the palate exudes quince, mango and other tropical fruit aspects in a vibrant fashion. Full bodied and a long finish, with high flavor intensity. Certainly very different from the Dom Perignon style, for example, but vive la difference and thanks to Amy Ray for sharing this bottle with us.
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1996 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Rosé Brut 97 Points
France, Champagne
Ken Brown suggested half jokingly that we could have decanted this and I agree. Dry and vinous, with vivid red fruit aromatics and flavors, including strawberry, red cherry and cassis. Its full bodied palate manages elegance and refinement given the fine mousse. It seems at this stage at a highpoint and hardly any hint of aging. There is freshness on the finish that lingers long. Made with 70% Pinot Noir including still wine, this is simply superb.
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2004 Dom Pérignon Champagne 93 Points
France, Champagne
Last tasted in December 2014 at Hautvillers with Dom Perignon enologist Vincent Chaperon, this 2004 is somewhat closed at this stage and tight. It has freshness and exuberance, high intensity of flavor and aromatics - quite citrus as well as toasty brioche - but leaves an overall impression of "please come back to me in three to five years". So there is a potential for a "higher point score" ... In any case, a marvelous Dom Perignon, miles better than the 2003. But overshadowed tonight by some heavyweights in the bubbly category...
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