Dinner with RC & friends at China Tang

RC hosted a small dinner for friends visiting from Singapore, and I was lucky to be invited. The wines were all served blind, and other than finding them so extraordinarily delicious, my best guesses were mostly that they were European, probably Pinot Noir haha! (Except the white, because it looked, well, white.) When the wines were unveiled, I was shocked but unsurprised -- shocked that I had drunk such wonderful rare specimens, but unsurprised in that over the past 3 pandemic years Mrs L and I have drunk every affordable type of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay available (such was our drinking quantity that affordability was the overriding condition) that when suddenly confronted with subliminal stuff, there's just no mistaking it.

Thanks RC, it was nice to meet everyone, great night!

• 1996 Domaine Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot 95 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

  Pleasant surprise of a wine; amber colored like a sauternes but fresh on the palate as though the grapes were just crushed yesterday. Hints of pomelo rind, roasted almonds on the nose. As the evening went by, notes of iron and mineral emerged as the wine put on a bit more weight. A fine example of mature white burgundy.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1983 Domaine G. Roumier / Christophe Roumier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses 96 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru

  Insanely intoxicating bouquet of spring flowers on the nose, like you were lying in a meadow outside Chambolle gazing up at the clouds going by. (At least that's how I imagine it!) The red fruit has been finely sculpted by 40 years' worth of time, but is still intense as layer after elegant layer of it lightly drapes the palate. The tannins are so fine they are barely noticeable, and there's also hardly any alcohol left. All that remains is beautiful aged burgundy.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2006 Emmanuel Rouget Echezeaux 97 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru

  Deep and vibrant ruby color. On the nose, beautiful delicate notes of blackberry and dark plum, with hints of fresh cut hay and maybe even a little tar. Darker in character than the Chambolle opened side by side. But oh so fine in every way -- fruit is intense and focused, yet dances lightly on the palate; tannins have a youthful structure, but are fine as silk. A pleasure to drink.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2003 Château Pavie 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  I remember the fuss over the release of this wine back in the day, when a famous American wine critic declared it perfect, and a British critic disagreed. I never had the chance to drink it until now. Well, so who was right?
  
  First off, this was served blind, and my guess was off by miles. Medium light ruby in color, a little cloudy, with even some bricking on the rim. Distinct floral notes on the bouquet, with minerals, leather, ash. Medium bodied on the plate, the fruit and tannins are beautifully resolved into mellowed, rounded layers that unfurl into a gentle velvety finish. So mature and evolved it was, I thought it might be late 80's, Margaux region maybe? It was thus a mild and pleasant shock to see what it was.
  
  Perhaps ours was not your average bottle, but I'm sure this is not how good old RP saw this wine unfolding 20 years later!

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue