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Champagne, Older Burgs (Mugneret, Jadot, Bitouzet), Donnhoff, Comtes Lafon with Jay Miller
Rockridge
Tasted December 7, 2008 by tonyvelebil with 556 views
Introduction
The "Good" Jay Miller is in the Bay Area this week and we had him over for dinner with Christine Huang, Al Osterheld, Slaton Lipscomb. Traci and Christine cooked a wonderful dinner that included crab salad, porcini dusted pork tenderloin with porcini risotto, sea bass with lemon grass/roasted tomatoes, leek tart, etc.
These are my brief impressions since we were mostly just enjoying the wine and food and conversation on a fairly chilly Oakland evening...
Flight 1 (10 notes)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Domaine de l'Ecu Crémant de Loire Ludwig Hahn
Picked up for about $18 retail. this was a fun sparkler to get things going. A blend of: 45% Folle Blanche (Gros-Plant), 25% Chardonnay, 20% Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet), 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Finish is a little short and it is definitely got some acid going on but otherwise pretty tasty with notes of lemon, slight hazelnut, plum skin and lots of minerals. Might buy again
White - Sparkling
N.V. René-Henri Coutier Champagne Grand Cru Brut
Al brought this over. Most of us had never heard of it but he had it at a tasting and really liked it. Christine Huang proclaimed it "baby Krug"..either way this is a terrific Champagne. Concentrated, brioche, strawberries, almonds, lovely mousse, lime skin...nice full finish. Just a terrific wine and worth searching out!
White - Sparkling
N.V. Pehu Simonet Champagne Grand Cru Brut Sélection
Traci and I picked this up for the dinner. It's a staff favorite right now at Paul Marcus. Light moussy characteristic, tangerine, apple skin, almond paste with a nice richness. It's good but I think the Coutier overshadowed it a bit...
White
1988 Pierre Bitouzet Corton-Charlemagne
Al brought this and was worried about it...popped cork and immediately a little whiff of what may be TCA...but nope wine was okay. In fact, it was more than okay, it took a few minutes to open and when it did it was very, very good. Honey, rich tropical fruit, white flowers, rocks, lively acidity, silky smooth on the palate and lingering finish. Just awesome!
White
1996 Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis 1er Cru Montmains
This was showing some signs of oxidation but there was still enough to taste and enjoy a good but not great wine. Some citrus underneath the almonds and caramel with a rather round, soft wine. Interesting but we moved on..
White
2004 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault
Wow. This was opened about 3 hours prior to dinner and really needed a little time in the glass to pop. Lemon cream, spicy pears, crushed rocks, honey..this is rich, crisp, lively and full in the mouth. Long lingering finish. A terrific Meursault.
White - Off-dry
1999 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Spätlese Auction
initially served a bit too warm but we chilled it while it gathered some Oxygen. Beautiful nose of petrol, pear, and slate. The palate hits with an initial richness then slowly fades as it makes its way to the back of the palate. Nice apricots, petrol, and spice. It's not the most powerful Donnhoff but it is mighty tasty!
Red
1988 Louis Jadot Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Ursules Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot
This jumped right away with a beautiful sour cherry, black spice/tea, plenty of acid and minerality with a slightly chewy finish. Very good wine and a joy to drink.
Red
1988 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Chaignots
This came across much tighter at first than the Jadot. More acid and tannin with some nice sour cherry fruit underneath, tea, and earth. A little leaner through the midpalate than the Jadot as well. Very tasty but I give the nod to the Jadot in the battle.
Red
1992 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurène
And we closed with this bad boy...wow was this young, rich and loaded. Showing very Burgundian with black tea, asian spice but with pretty rich vanilla infused black fruits. There's some definite leather as well on the chewy lingering finish. This is terrific. If you have a few of these in your cellar, enjoy!!!