Bijofu Éclat

Dinner at Sushi Kumogaku.

2020 Bijofu Yumebakari Éclat (美丈夫 夢許 Éclat 2020), bottle No.141 - seimaibuai (精米歩合) of 30%. This is a tobingakoi (斗瓶囲い) and aged for 5 years at 1°C.　Definitely sweet on the palate, with a nose that was very much banana and floral. Funny that I thought the nose "smelled cloudy". This had the complexity that reflects its age. After the crab this tasted a little alcoholic and dry. Changed a little bit after about 30 minutes, and the nose smelled a little more fermented and savory. About an hour in, the banana came back on the nose, and as the temperature warmed up it tasted more dry on the finish. A wonderful sake.

Full post on dinner is here.

SQN On the Lam

Drinking at a friend's home.

2009 Sine Qua Non On the Lam - 48% Roussanne, 35% Chardonnay and 17% Viognier. 15.5% alcohol. Very ripe and hot on the palate, sweet with a bitter finish. Toasty nose came out after a little more than 5 minutes, instantly changing the whole profile of the wine. There was so much honey, or actually honeysuckle, with some apricot and a hint of nuttiness. More than 2 hours after opening, the sweetness on the palate was still there, and the cold temperature of the wine kept the bitterness in check. The nose got more floral, with a bit of straw and acetone as well. Incredibly beautiful after 2½ hours.

2001 Arietta

Dinner at home in Taipei.

2001 Arietta Hudson Vineyard H-Block - started drinking about 30 minutes after decanting. Nose was showing a bit of smoke, and still got the sweet fruit, but not to the point of being jammy. Nice woodsy notes.

2020 Calon Ségur

Dinner at Ginza in Taipei.

2020 Calon Ségur - started drinking 40 minutes after opening. Smoky, minty, very classic claret. Nice and lively fruit as the wine is still young.

Palacios and Cañas

Dinner at Leela.

2023 Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat - very ripe and very oaky, with forest and potpourri notes.

2018 Luis Cañas Rioja Reserva - the nose was a little sharp at first, and riper, more intense. Later on the wine got softer on the palate.

Full post on dinner is here.

2021 Mayer Volcanic

Drinking at home.

2021 Mayer Syrah Volcanic - started drinking around 1 hour and 15 minutes after opening. Smoky, gamey, leathery, a little stinky, with black fruits. This was definitely more Rhone-like, pretty open and fragrant now, so floral with lots of lavender. Just really beautiful! Quelle surprise!

2022 Avani Amrit

Drinking at home.

2022 Avani Amrit Pinot Noir - started drinking 40 minutes after opening. Fruity nose with a little leather, almost a hint of sugary bubblegum. A little animal and smoke, and the nose became more open after 10 minutes in glass... showing more blueberries. The alcohol was still a bit sharp at this young age. After 3½ hours, the nose was still pretty fragrant, but this was more acidic on the palate now.

Col d'Orcia and Arietta

Dinner at Deng G.

2017 Col d'Orcia Riserva Poggio al Vento - this was very fragrant with good amount of sweet fruit. About 1½ hours later we also had nice, woodsy notes.

2001 Arietta H-Block Hudson Vineyards - started drinking after 1 hour and 15 minutes in the decanter. This was really sweet and very ripe, almost jammy. Smoky and also nice, woodsy notes.

Full post on dinner is here.