Random Tuesday night (Tipsy Tuesday?)

Not entirely sure if there was a specific reason for this dinner other than folks thought it would be a good idea to congregate and they were quite right. Perhaps because Riverpark has a no corkage policy on Tuesdays which worked to our advantage.

• NV Jacques Selosse Champagne Exquise Sec

  France, Champagne

  This wine paired perfectly with my entire meal (a burrata and then a crab salad) unlike some of the heavier reds we had later (didn't do the best job of ordering). It continues to impress me with just how light on its feet it is. The bubbles literally melt in your mouth. Get this rock candy like flavor, but one which has been dumbed down a bit so the sweet isn't overpowering. Nice acidity (but not as pronounced as the last bottle I had which made me wonder on aging). Still - got an extra this time to sit down for some years. Best demi-sec I've ever had.

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• 1984 Joseph Swan Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma County

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Tasted blind at the beginning of a big wine dinner. I got that it was new world and Cali and also that it was one of the fruitier grapes (although I thought it had more of a candy flavor like a grenache or sometimes a pinot). Very interesting wine and also quite compelling - at the end of the night we ended up revisiting. Also amazing how well kept it's been. Would not have guessed this was 32 years old.

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• 2005 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Grace Vineyard

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  Opened and decanted and I think I went to it a bit too fast. When first poured it was still a bit stiff. Quicker finish and more fruit dominant than anything else but with some time it opened up quite a bit and get more umami along with the fruit and some leather and just a more complete wine. My favorite of the three Pinots. If drinking now would give it a longer decant (maybe 2 hours) or hold for a bit longer.

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• 2005 Louis Jadot Corton-Grèves

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru

  Young wine and much more closed than anything. It's earthy, with some pepper, leather. A bit of a quicker finish here as well although didn't seem to open as much in the glass as the DS did. It's heavier than what I expect a Pinot from Burgundy to be - in the same mouthful as the Oregon and the Cali we drank alongside.

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• 2010 Marcassin Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  As we've got a few of these sitting in our cellar was very excited to try - many thanks to Kenny for sharing! There was something just a touch off. The wine had a bit of effervescence when first opened. Could taste the stuffing underneath and that was something. With some time the wine seemed to come around a bit more. Prob should have let it decant for 30 minutes or so. Think we'll be ok to hold ours for a few more years though.

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• 1982 Château Sociando-Mallet

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

  Opened and some folks thought it was corked originally, but I revisited when we got to this flight and I think it was coming together pretty nicely. Might even have been interesting to see today. Certainly more vegetal with some bell pepper and almost a wet wood sense to it, but in the way that old Bordeaux can be. I found it compelling and enjoyable.

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• 1995 Château Cheval Blanc

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  This is a very below the radar, smooth, easy Cheval. It's not hitting you in the face but instead a bit more nuanced. Some leather, faded currant, very enjoyable and a great accompaniment to food. One of my favorites that we drank.

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• 2009 Sine Qua Non Grenache Upside Down

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Awesome awesome wine. My WOTN (but those who have read my notes in the past are prob not surprised). This was sweet and candied and herbal and strawberry and while it's a wine that you can sip by itself the lamb seemed to bring out whole new side of it. I very much enjoyed.

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• 1977 Dow Porto Vintage

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Poured from a magnum for 8 ppl (aka - there were leftovers). This is plum and prune and while it had been decanted for the whole dinner the alcohol was still burning off a bit. Very interesting wine, but as I had things to do after dinner ended up just taking a few sips.

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An amazing line-up - one wine better than the last. As an SQN junkie I have to say that was my favorite, but there wasn't a bad one in the line-up (note there was a also a Chablis but as I was pacing myself I opted to pass).