Farewell Dinner with the Plambecks

Issaquah, WA
Tasted Sunday, November 21, 2004 by Jason with 790 views

Introduction

Our good friends Chris and Suzanne are moving to Florida due to a career change. We were glad to have them over one last time before they move later this week.

Flight 1 - Cheese flight (1 Note)

The Champagne paired very well with a nameless triple cream cheese.

  • 1985 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut Rosé Vintage

    France, Champagne

    I have very limited experience with aged Champagne, so this was a treat. The nose showed plenty of aged characteritics with roasted hazelnuts, ground wheat, and bread dough. The palate followed in kind. The only drawback was a bit of over oxidation on the palate.

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Flight 2 - Dinner (2 Notes)

Paired with Smoked Prime Sirloin Roast with Blue Cheese Cream sauce.

  • 1989 Château Olivier 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

    Wine Spectator calls this "classic" and gives it 95 points. Parker calls it a "picnic" wine and gives it 84 points. I think I am pretty much in the middle. The nose has strong left bank qualities with intense lead pencil, dried herbs, and a small touch of heat. The palate is lush with sweet blackfruit, spices and load of tannins. The wine has a big finish that is dominated by chalky tannins. This wine is very young and will continue to improve with time.

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  • 1993 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

    USA, Washington

    This is the best showing of this wine yet. The cork split in two as I opened it, so it did not look good at first. With trepidation I put my nose over the bottle. Blackberries and violets. :) As the wine sat in the glass the blackberry element continued to intensify. It also retained the violet element and picked up some charcoal with air. The palate is very thick and lush (like most aged QCs) with better balance than other 93s. The only drawback on this wine is that the tannins are a bit coarse and rustic. I am glad I have more bottles of this, so I can see how it continues to age.

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Flight 3 - Dessert (1 Note)

Paired with Caramel Apple Pie

  • 2001 Château d'Arche Sauternes 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    My first 01 Sauternes. The nose shows shower curtain, peach blossom, and vanilla caramel. As it get airs the shower curtain element softens. The palate is soft and lush with tastes of lemons, honey, and ginger snap cookie. There is plenty of acid to provide terrific structure. The long finish takes the ginger snap for a bit then turns it into a strong baking spice. I can't wait to see how good the "big boys" are from this vintage.

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