New Year's Eve at McCarthy & Schiering

The folks at McCarthy & Schiering closed early at 5pm for a brief celebration after a busy holiday season. It was fun to see them unwind.

I got there a little late, and the were already quite lively and deep into a series of champagnes. I didn't take any notes, but the Agrapart really stood out, a very special bottle of Champagne.

• NV Pierre Moncuit Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Pierre Moncuit-Delos Blanc de Blancs Brut

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Not much recollection.

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• 1995 Billecart-Salmon Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésimé

  France, Champagne

  Lean and racy.

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• 1996 Agrapart Champagne Grand Cru Millésimé Brut Blanc de Blancs

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Mmm, gorgeous champagne that really shines on its own.

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• 1997 Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Nice but it had a tough act to follow after the Agrapart.

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I brought a red surprise from my cellar for a change of pace.

• 1982 Château Talbot

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  I opened this and served it blind after a very brief double-decant. This has a knockout nose of iron, blood, graphite, leather, cedar, and rosemary that then gives way to ripe notes of cassis, roasted plum, spicecake and mint. Mmmm, absolutely fantastic! At first the palate was lean and tight, and I think the switch from Champagne took a moment. Earthy and full of minerals, this opened up reveal exquisite, sweet fruit, still quite young. Delicious!

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The rest of the evening was a quiet one at home with my wife. (We couldn't get a babysitter.)

We watched one of the freakier movies I have ever seen, Super Size Me. In fact, I felt so sick after watching it that I didn't have the heart to pop a bottle of champagne at midnight!