Reuniting because we can now

Aperitif

Pairing this with smoked salmon, sour cream and scallion potato pancake was a no-brainer.

• N.V. Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 162eme - France, Champagne
  Very fresh and lively. The mousse is demure but uplifting. There is richness but balance. While it could do with more dimension and precision, this is a remarkably enjoyable Champagne.

Appetizer

Not the best pairing with grilled shrimp, seaweed salad in a hot oil sauce but I had plenty left for free range chicken with farro, baby spinach, shiitake mushrooms and natural jus, with which it naturally shined.

• 1998 Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
  Opened 2 hours prior and replugged. Decanted just before serving. Quite dark golden color. Any concerns were quickly dispatched. Much of the fruit has developed into mature flavors but it remains fresh and vibrant. Over the course of about 2 hours it continues to evolve, deepen and intensify. By the end, the nose is incredible. A wine of great depth and length. Truly Grand Cru and a wonderful experience.

Main course

Rack of lamb with mushroom risotto and string beans.

• 1982 Château La Conseillante - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
  Fully mature with some funky prune notes. This was a pleasurable Pomerol that opened up over a couple of hours. Ultimately, it tasted more like a Bordeaux well on its descent than it did Conseillante. It might have benefited from a long, slow oxygenation or it has simply faded. Tant pis.

Dessert

Vanilla & Coffee Panna Cotta

• 2005 Alois Kracher Grande Cuvée TBA #7 Nouvelle Vague - Austria, Burgenland, Neusiedlersee
  A fun and interesting TBA that takes you on a kaleidoscopic tour of flavors. It is rich, unctuous and sweet and needs at least 5 years to coalesce, refine and focus. Certainly no harm in enjoying now for its provocative fruit. Pairs well with a variety of desserts.