Easter Monday lunch

• 2010 Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 90 Points

  United Kingdom, England, Sussex, West Sussex

  Magnum. Starting to relax a little (compared to others drunk 12-18 months ago), though still without any tertiary development. Classic lemon-driven profile, and invigorating without being tart or unbalanced; a super aperitif that no-one could dislike.

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• NV Taittinger Champagne Brut Réserve / La Française 88 Points

  France, Champagne

  Cellared for around a year; to be honest, I can't remember much about it, but it was pretty nice - crisp and credible Champagne.

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Slow-roast garlicky pork shoulder
Butterbean mash
Muhammara
Cauliflower, pomegranate and pistachio salad
Baked Rice w/ Tomatoes & Cinnamon

• 2010 Domaine Barge Côte-Rôtie Côte Brune 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Really good, and obviously 'in the zone' (unlike my first bottle last year, which was a little tight). Smoky, meaty nose. Ash and piquant, refreshing dark berry fruit on the palate, and some of that magical seasoning you only get from mature Syrah. Definitely some vying over the decanter in order to get an additional top-up: QED.

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• 2008 Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Riserva 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Dusty cherry fruit, leather, very dry and grown-up... yeah, it's mature Sangiovese alright! I like the lift and clean and tidy structure of the 2008 vintage in Tuscany, and that character was present here. A shame it was my final bottle, although it didn't have the 'special sauce' of the Cote Rotie that was served alongside it.

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• 2009 Château Brane-Cantenac 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  This is a really tasty wine, and was popular around the table, but it seemed so young, modern and unsubtle compared to the other two reds (of similar age). Ripe fruit, graphite and posh oak, soft and quite Right Bank in feel. I preferred this when first tried a few years ago, when it leant into its fine structure and concentrated fruit, and may well like it more again once it's had the chance to develop some complexity.

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• 2021 Abbott Claim Chardonnay Eola - Amity Hills 89 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills

  Hard to call this one; nothing wrong with it, but not enough right either. Provided decent refreshment but lacked concentration and complexity - just too soft and bland. Very strange given the 2019 of this came across (in 2022) as too oaky, too reductive and too concentrated. I'd rather have things that way around and wait, though, than worry that the wine just doesn't have enough stuffing. (PS - no, this wasn't corked.)

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• 2010 Château Rieussec 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  A half of this showed beautifully last month, but this full bottle didn't seem ready. Yeah, it tastes good (Rieussec always does, no?), but the acidity was blunt and the spice felt excessive, creating a cloying, enervating feel. I'd like to think this will relax and become more charmingly honeyed over the next five or so years.

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