June 25

Jim and Debbie came down for dinner and we built a simple meal around great wines. We planned an experiment matching red and white Burgundies to cheese to see which we, a group of red burg bigots, would prefer.

Served with a lemon linger sauce and cocktail sauce as the sun set. The Bouchard was magnificent with the seafood.

• 2000 Bouchard Père et Fils Montrachet 96 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Montrachet Grand Cru

  Opened for 30 minutes, decanted for 15. Another great showing, it hits with an incredibly rich punch of white flower, green apple and peach. Intense, powerful, brooding, dense flavors. Wonderfully textured and palate drenching with a long, long explosive finish. Truly wonderful and memorable.
  Drinking perfectly, but show no sing of aging or premox.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Bottled full truffles sliced and put into melted black truffle butter with a touch of locatelli romano. This paired perfectly with the Vogue because the truffle popped through and the smoky, rich Musigny was perfect with it. Jims comment was "this is as good as it gets"

• 1978 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Musigny Cuvée Vieilles Vignes 97 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Musigny Grand Cru

  Big, huge animal nose thats takes a few minutes to show. In the mouth it was powerful, earthy, spicy and but balanced with soft fruits. This keeps getting bigger and better and at 30 minutes was amazing.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

I marinated the lamb in greek spices and Dijon Mustard and oil for 2 hours and grilled at 750 degrees. Stephanie made a great Ratatouille. the Margaux sang with the lamb. Turns out Margaux is Debbies favorite.

• 1983 Château Margaux 97 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Once again, - It can't get too much better than this. This was truly elegant, with great finesse and yet an animalistic undertone that made you crave more and more. Truly excellent. At the top of it's game and showing no sign of waning

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Sheeps milk Gouda, 2 year aged Comte, a triple creme, a Veceray sheep and an Epoisse The whole group felt hard cheese were definitely superior with the white The group was mixe don the rest, but I am leaning more towards whites. The LaFarge was great with the Epoisse.

• 1989 Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Château des Ducs 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru

  Big, youthful, perfectly balanced , powerful yet smooth. This was very bright and fruit forward for a 20 year old wine, but I am beginning to think this is the right age for great Volnays. This wine still has a long way to go with no end in sight.
  
  Probably worth a better score but next to the 78 vogue and 83 marguax it was in tough company.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2006 Domaine Ramonet Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru

  Showed even better, richer than las bottle. Tropical fruits, great acidity and backbone make this a total delight to drink right now. One more example of 2006s drinking great now.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Wow. Stephanie made an amazing puff pastry filled with Rutabaga and creme fraiche and topped with a strawberry balsamic sauce. i could have eaten this all night. The Rieussec of course was splendid as it always is.

• 2001 Château Rieussec 96 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Light gold with an intensely honeyed nose, it explodes on the attack with a monumental thickness that is super-concentrated and full bodied. It is chewy, but not heavy and has a finish that won't quit. A definite rival to Yquem and a relative bargain.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

It was a great evening