Bernard Burtschy dinner at Taberna del Alabardero
Taberna del Alabardero, Washington D.C.
Tasted Thursday, May 3, 2012 by dcwino with 1,003 views
Introduction
Mr. Bernard Burtschy, the wine writer for Le Figaro and a fellow Grand Jury Europeen member, was in town to conduct the heart's delight grand tasting this Saturday. Bijan organized the dinner to honor Bernard. Thirteen of us got together at Taberna del Alabardero and drank some nice Bordeauxs.
I was under the weather and my nose was only operating at 50%, except a few moments where my nose got cleared for a few seconds. It has happened to me once before and it is no fun. It was interesting that I was still able to get TCA, VA and brett although I couldn’t detect much fruits and other flavors. Most my notes are based on palate impression where I was able to smell a bit better than through my nose.
Bernard has vast knowledge of wine. He gave the background and impression of the wines which was very informative. It is interesting that his assessment of the Bordeauxs are not far from that of Bob’s, ie concentration and ripeness are good things.
Flight 1 - Champange and whites (3 Notes)
Flight 2 - 67 VCC (1 Note)
Flight 3 - Blind flight (2 Notes)
Flight 4 - 1978s (4 Notes)
Flight 5 - 1990s (2 Notes)
Flight 6 - HB, Cos and Latour a Pomerol (3 Notes)
Flight 7 - Oldies (4 Notes)
Flight 8 - Stickies (2 Notes)
Closing
My sincere gratitude to Bijan for organizing the wonderful event and to Bernard for leading us. The restaurant provided the perfect wine services and the food was great once again!
1995 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 93 Points
France, Champagne
Restraint impression, perhaps due to the copious amount of wet stone and very dry finish. Both primary BdB, wet stone, slightly unripe granny smith and citrus and a hint of the aged champagne characters, brioche and honey coexist. Very youthful, precise and nicely delineated. Perhaps one may want a bit more richness in the palate.
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2004 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux 88 Points
France, Bordeaux
Perhaps it has shut down a bit but I am not impressed at all. There is typical rich/oaky characters that is typical to youthful Pavillon Blanc but not much fruit. Wax, vanilla and set sox driven nose. For me, it is clearly too hot and disjointed at the moment as there is no fruits to layer the alcohol. For me, Pavillon Blanc is closer to the semi dry white wines of Sauternes then Grave blanc.
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1997 Trimbach Riesling Clos Ste. Hune 94 Points
France, Alsace
Despite my nose at 50%, incredibly complex nose. Initially sweet and floral, also a hint of petrol, crème brulee, yellow fruits, lightly caramelized apple and peach. It is beguiling as the nose impression is so rich and complex yet the palate is airy and bone dry. Although very dry there is very little mineral expression which makes this wine a bit flat at the end. Nevertheless a beautiful expression of Riesling. Lovely.
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