Vintage Bourbon, and Young Opus and D'Yquem on New Year's Eve
Tasted Monday, December 31, 2018 by 87tellub with 174 views
Introduction
We came up with this lineup based upon what we thought would pair well with the menu for NYE, as well as wanting to pop some stuff with very low disappointment potential.
First course was the 2nd half of the Redbox Bowl featuring my Oregon Ducks taking on the Michigan State Spartans. Never heard of the Redbox Bowl? Me neither. But, this was my last chance to see the Ducks until next September so I was all in. The game got quite tense in the fourth quarter and the 1970s vintage Four Roses Bourbon was a good compliment to make it slightly less tense.
2nd course was steamed Alaskan King Crab Legs with melted butter. I thought of California Chard, and given I don't drink much or really keep any in the cellar a trip down to the wine store and some friendly conversation netted me a baby (2017) Far Niente. Hmm, wonder if there was any correlation between the recommendation and the price? The least amount of thought went into this pairing but it held up fine.
Main course was a garlic and herb crusted beef tenderloin with duck fat potatoes. The Opus was quite hedonistic but balanced, and stood up nicely to the richness in the food. Always feels special holding that bottle in your hands.
Dessert was the D'Yquem, and because why not, some cupcakes.
Flight 1 - Old Mellow Bourbon (1 Note)
Like a little bourbon or rye on the rocks from time to time. Favorites are Dickel, Basil Haydens and Blanton's. Had to try this bottle from the decade of my birth for a big evening. Definitely tastes like some of the alcohol has dissipated with the passage of time.
Flight 2 - I Don't Drink Chard (1 Note)
But I drank it for this pairing. Nice Chardonnay. Very cool label slightly outclasses the actual juice in the bottle.
Flight 3 - Opus! (1 Note)
2nd time trying the 2013. Definitely was right the first time in thinking this wine is very nice.
Flight 4 - NYE Means D'Yquem (1 Note)
Have a few 375s of the 05-07 vintages. Yum.
Closing
A very fun, if not mildly morning-after headache inducing, evening. I'd rank the bottles from this night: 1) Opus; 2) D'Yquem; 3) 40ish year old Four Roses; 4) Far Niente.
Found something that bound both the Opus and the D'Yquem, and that is their texture and how that texture seems to gradually melt into the tongue, seamlessly.
While the game was a defensive struggle that saw the good guys win 7-6, the wines and food were quite aggressive in putting up some points.
NV Four Roses Distillery Yellow Label Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 40.0%
USA, Kentucky
This was the first taste, neat, from a sealed bottle of 1970s era vintage Four Roses. Astor Wines had this in their Fine & Rare case. Purchased by them from a private collection. Americans didn't drink much bourbon in the 70s and most of it was sent to Europe.
Well is smells like bourbon! Somewhat mellow as there isn't much perceptible heat on the nose. Notes of warm caramel and butterscotch. Palate pretty smooth and doen't have the same bite a newer bourbon would have.
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