Steven K. Dinner Party

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Tasted Saturday, April 19, 2008 by winefool with 627 views

Introduction

Had a few of the IWFS couples (Stephen, Tom, and Dan plus guests) for a full-on dinner party to say 'thanks' for some past invitations. Turned out wonderfully with all the food (except the soup) showing very well and a great lineup of wines. The company also fit together very nicely. Great fun overall.

Flight 1 - Canapes - Smoked Salmon with dill cream cheese and Parmesan Gougeres (1 Note)

Flight 2 - Two Courses - Hamachi carpaccio and Goat Cheese and Herb Souffles (1 Note)

  • 2003 Didier Dagueneau Silex 94 Points

    France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé

    People say these don't age, but this 03 just keeps getting better with time. Full rich well integrated and complex. Most of the hard edges are gone and you're left with a great core of fruit and energy. A very nice sauvignon blanc...

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Flight 3 - Spring Pea and Mint Soup (1 Note)

  • 2004 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard 95 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Same cloudy green tinged electric yellow as always. This just continues to shine. Lovely integrated nose of yellow fruit, apricot and tropical notes. Big fresh rich juicy fruit fills the palate. You know there is oak here seasoning the wine, but you don't notice it as an independent component at all. Fantastic.

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Flight 4 - Duck Cassoulet (1 Note)

  • 1998 Domaine Leroy Corton-Renardes 95 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru

    This wine continues to shine and it's still on an uphill trend. Full round red color. Etheral Leroy nose of floral violet and black cherry with a hint of briar and spice. Big mouthful of red and black cherries onthe palate, it is surprisingly open for a) a young Leroy and b) a Corton. The whole package drinking in the front end of the window.

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Flight 5 - Rack of Lamb with Porcini mushrooms, Potato Parsnip Puree, and Oregano oil (2 Notes)

  • 1971 Penfolds Grange 94 Points

    Australia, South Australia

    After the Leroy, this wine was just savage. You would never peg this in Australia blind, much less identify it as a 37 year old wine! Still youthful in color - full deep purple red with only the slightest big of lightening at the edges. Big syrah nose more reminiiscint of Hermitage than Barossa with bacon, saddle leather, pepper, and just the slightest hint of eucalyptus. Masculine character continues through the palate full of black fruit, earth, and structure. No rush to drink this though it is not clear how much upside is left.

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  • 1985 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    More bottle variation here. This was popped and poured and there was a distinctive sulphur stink on the nose. It started to blow off after 20-30 minutes in glass, but I never really got past it. Nice enough on the palate, the overall experience could not be great.

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Flight 6 - Cheese Course (1 Note)

Tom contributed the Pichon Lalande!

  • 1982 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Far better than the last example I had of this. Showing just minor signs of age on the color, everything else here was still showing very well. Lots of classic Paullac character with cedar, briar, and graphite along with black fruit. Still lots of life left on the palate with a good measure of black fruit and even some youthful sweetness remaining. Well into its drinking window, this was still showing very well and one of the top wines of the night.

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Flight 7 - Assorted Vosages Chocolate Truffles (1 Note)

  • 1985 Graham Porto Vintage 94 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    I pulled this just to have something to drink with the Vosages, but it was surprisingly good! I would say at or near maturity, it had all the components in harmony without that younger port heat that is so common. Typical Graham's feminine sweetness on the palate but with good complexity and structure. Very nice.

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