pbm
Posts: 267
Joined: 3/5/2008 From: New Hope, Pennsylvania Status: online
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Celebrated mutual 20-year anniversaries with good friends over a specially prepared chef's tasting menu at Anton's at the Swan in Lambertville, NJ. Highly recommend the venue, the food and atmosphere are superb. 2001 McKenzie-Mueller Pinot Noir M-M just never disappoints. Compared with the 1998 we had last night, this wine practically danced out of the bottle to the glass and then to our mouths. Vibrant cherry and earthy yet refined -- not overwhelming of the salmon and creamed spinach at all. 2002 Beringer Private Reserve Cab I was looking forward to this in part because of the recent CT discussions regarding Napa cabs. Decanted for less than an hour it was velvety on the tongue with slight fruit, slighter oak, and touch of vanilla on the nose. Nothing overwhelmed but I would call it a very harmonious glass of wine (meaning all the flavors and tastes seem to work very well together) that went excellent with the chicken course. Two observations: 1) I have trouble seeing how this will last another ten years but I may just not be skilled enough to perceive such things; and 2) had I paid standard retail or (god forbid) wine list mark-up for this wine I'd have been disappointed in the QPR. At $65 (thank you PA wine store) I'd judge the QPR as quite good. 1988 Antinori Solaia Toscana IGT Decanted less than an hour. Amazingly fresh, aromatic, and balanced after twenty years. Strong color, not turning at all. Mellow earthiness with solid flavors of fruit and cherries. A very enjoyable wine though based on some of the other tasting notes perhaps just past the height of its flavors. I can't speak to the more recent super-tuscans but this certainly carried the flavors of Italy well. Nice complement to the lamb. No discussion of QPR here because we wanted a 20 year old bottle on our anniversary and this was it.
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PBM "Never Sell Principle Short" Dave O'Neal
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