A December Sunday family dinner

A family get-together with focus on a great time, meaning cooking matters more than the wines.

Paté with leek. Mini-ciabatta with smoked fillet of boar and sun-dried tomatoes, an olive, Serrano ham wrapped Irish goat cheese and cracker with a fine cheese. Unfortunately, the Cava did not marry this dish at all.

• NV Finca Nadal de Boadella Cava Brut 78 Points

  Spain, Cava

  Non-blind. Had immediately (@home, family dinner)
  Impression: Near good, but not by a mile.
  Fine bubbles in a pale yellow media.
  Nose is sweet and fruity, raising absolutely no expectations whatsoever.
  Taste is uncomplicated, little sweet and ... I didn't finish my glass.
  All guests just moved on to better things.

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Half of an egg hidden underneath layers of lettuce, sweet tomatoes, apple cubes, pomegranate, horse radish, paprika, carrot and rocket salad. Chipotle dressing drizzled all over and topped with fine lime skin dust...

• 2010 Neudorf Chardonnay 83 Points

  New Zealand, South Island, Nelson

  Non-blind. Had immediately (@home, family dinner)
  Impression: Good, and nearing Very Good.
  Too much oak for a too thin wine. Oak and wine will never marry, simply because the fruit will be dead before they reach the altar. I used to love these over-oaked Chards, but nowadays instead get my juices going from the subtleties in better dry whites.
  Poor QPR since this is somewhat aggressively (over-)priced.

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Porcini ravioli with pesto and parmigiano... The Rioja stood out extremely well to the basil tastes...

• 2009 Château Barréjat Madiran Tradition 87 Points

  France, Southwest France, Madiran

  Non-blind. Had immediately (@home, family dinner)
  Impression: Very good with 2 stars
  Nose: Dark, brooding coffee-based oak-notes with good fruit. (as previous note)
  This is a serious wine that also strikes me as somewhat generic. (We still have a few btls to enjoy, so postponing the final verdict for a few years.)
  The wine shows some mature fruit and firm tannic grip. Slight glitch: finishing rather abruptly. I just hope the finish protrudes as the wine matures. Great QPR. (Liked by all.)

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• 2009 Rhebokskloof Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Petit Verdot 85 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Paarl

  Non-blind. Had immediately (@home, family dinner)
  Impression: Very good
  Dark red Bordeaux-blend, showing not at all as a Bordeaux. This is a fruity trip with M++ acids and M+ tannin in a balanced constitution that is rather unusual in its aromatic expressions. Some guests loved it. I'm still not sure I understand what they found...
  Even if this is a very good wine, it's simply not my cup of tea (so will not buy again.)

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• 2003 Torre de Oña Rioja lat 42 Gran Reserva 91 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja

  Non-blind. Had immediately (@home, family dinner)
  Impression: Excellent with wow!
  The high quality of this wine took us all by complete surprise...
  Dark red with some browning to show off its beginning maturity.
  In the mouth it generously shares the pleasures of early maturity in a fabulous frame work of: High acids, firm tannin and great, mature fruit. Oak not yet fully integrated, but well on its way. Displays typicity through lingonberry jam and molten butter. It is made in the more rich style of Rioja GR.
  This is fantastic QPR.
  
  Detta vin fanns bara under en kortare tid i Sverige och ersattes sedan av deras dill-överdos till 1998... Mitt slarv i butiken resulterade i att jag köpte på mig oönskad alkohol *huh*. Kanske '98:orna funkar till sås för fiskbullar i dillsås?

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Beautifully fatty American entrecôte with wet garlic rub and squeezed lime. Served with green asparagus and spicy potato chips.
Same wines as with the previous flight.

Vin Santo and Cantuccini - what could possibly go wrong?

• NV Dielle-Firenze Vernaccia di San Gimignano Vin santo del Nonno 88 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, San Gimignano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano

  Non-blind. Had immediately (@home, family dinner)
  Impression: Almost EXCELLENT.
  This is a mid-range Vin Santo that is thoroughlly oxidied as it must be and not overly sweet. There are much better VS out there and also those of poor quality.
  Good enough QPR and perfect for soaking cantuccini in for a magnificent quick fix desert.

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Semi-sweet Saffron bread of the season ("Lussekatter") with high quality Japanese green tea and 12 year old Caol Ila.

We were lucky: Food tasted well and the wines were just about perfect for the evening!
We had a great time, as usual.
I was left with the dishes, as usual.