Dinner with Friends

We were invited for dinner at friends of ours last night, and as usual, they outdid themselves in preparing tasty food. The menu was:

Appetizer: Baked Brie on home-made apple/hazelnut bread with jalpeno/raspberry compote

Entree: Pancetta and porcini wrapped beef tenderloin with risotto

Dessert: Creme Brulee

• NV H. Billiot Fils Champagne Grand Cru Brut Rosé

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  With appetizer. Super nose that had a lot of floral components. Pretty Champagne, but it also had quite a bit of power to go along with the finesse. Stood up nicely to the appetizer. I would buy this myself and recommend it highly.

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• 1964 Giacomo Conterno Barolo

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Our first red of the evening. As one would expect, very light, rusty, orange color. Nose is very nice and pretty with some rose and other floral notes followed by a little red wine vinegar note (but not an oxidized smell). On the palate, it's very delicate and soft, but one can still tell it's Barolo. Has good funk and did exceptionally well with the pancetta/porcini wrapped beef tenderloin and risotto. If I owned any of this (which I don't), I would plan on drinking these immediately. I see no upside to cellaring them any further.

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• 1990 M. Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  I was really looking forward to this one, but alas, it was corked AND oxidized. Total loss and down the drain it went.

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• 1989 Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon

  As usual, great stuff. Not much more to say than it is awe-inspiring to me with its great structure, but suave tannins, tertiary flavors, and dark fruit. Can last for another good while without going into decline. Drinking beautifully. Three bottles so far, and three successes.

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• 1999 Avignonesi-Capannelle 50/50 Toscana IGT

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Excellent bottle. Although way too young, this showed well after a lengthy decant and kept getting better as the evening progressed. Clearly bigger than the other wines we drank last night and in a more 'international" style, but still very well made. I probably would not choose to pay for this at the current going-rates, but it was a fun wine to drink that still did well with the food. Dark fruited black currant and cherries with some cedar, leather, and a touch of earthiness (but only tiny bit). No need to open for at least 5 more years.

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• 2002 Château de Fargues

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Not mindblowing, but very solid Sauternes. Started out simple and heavy, but with some air, it developed the most interesting coconut milk smell and taste I've ever tasted in a young Sauternes. Some honey and the obligatory white blossoms...Very good.

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Thanks to our gracious hosts. As usual, we had a great time.