Dinner with friends

I had some friends up from Portland who know I'm a wine geek, and I promised them a decent dinner. I'd say I surpassed decent, with some very nice wines to accompany herb-crusted lamb, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus dressed with hazelnut oil, salad, and cantuccini and baklava for dessert. Here are the wines:

• NV Herbert Beaufort Champagne Grand Cru Cuvée Marcellin Extra-Brut 87 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Continues to be a solid performer - not thrilling but serviceable. The least appealing part is the poor mousse - large bubbles which dissipate quickly. Nice, not great.

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• 1994 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Very nice, and the first bottle of Bueacastel I've opened for myself. Bricking at the rim give some indication of age, but the nose was full and expressive with olives and garrigue. Flavors of iodine, leather, and kirsch, this didn't exhibit as much of the horse-iness that people usually talk about with Beaucastel. It was lovely, and a nice introduction to CdP for my dinner guests.

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• 1999 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  This was just a little bit better than the Beaucastel this night. It's wide open for business, and even better than the last time I had it. This also had a huge nose of olive, but also was full of raspberry and the kind of mustiness that I associate with a burlap sack (this is a good thing, but the way). Rich and smooth on the palate, with a good. long finish and enough structure to suggest it isn't fading anytime soon. Just lovely, and the reason Pegau remains my favorite CdP producer.

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• 2000 Château Angelique de Monbousquet 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  I opened this for my girlfriend who ended up not liking the CdP due to the olive aroma (I don't like olives either, but I love CdP). I heard it was nice, and that is an understatement. If I had been introduced to Bordeaux with this wine, it would make up a far bigger component of my cellar. Completely accessible, warm cassis and leather and a nice, round, balanced palate. I will definitely be seeking this out, and will probably start trying to fill this particular regional hole in my inventory. Great QPR.

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• 1993 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Vin Santo del Chianti Classico

  I promised my Portland friends if they came up for dinner I would open a Vin Santo for then. And since this is the only one I have - well open it I did. Suuch a lovely golden color and the viscosity of sesame oil. The nose was dominated by orange and there was nice acidity and orange on the palate. Very long finish, and paired nicely with cantuccini (as every told me). It wasn't quite the orgasmic experience I was hoping for, but an excellent dessert wine.

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• 1971 Bodegas Toro Albalá Don PX Gran Reserva 94 Points

  Spain, Andalucía, Montilla-Moriles

  This is even blacker and more motor oil-like than the 1975. What is lacks in acidity it make up for in a huge, syrupy blend of figs, molasses, almonds, etc. Just wonderful stuff and a great value. The finish is at least 60 sec, and just keeps hammering the taste home. I will definitely be buying more of this.

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This was a lot of fun for me, and the first "big" dinner I've hosted with actually "big-time" wines for my non-geek friends. It was a pleasure, and isn't what this is all about - sharing great wine with great friends?

Cheers,

Adam