Old Malmsey and Chapoutier

Lunch at Robuchon au Dôme in Macau.

Krug Grande Cuvée, 165éme édition, ID 416039 - very big and toasty nose.  Acidity was a little higher than expected.  Such a beautiful wine.

2010 Chapoutier Ermitage Le Méal Blanc - very big toasty nose, which was lovely.  Really, really ripe on the palate, actually a little over-ripe, and ended up being a little bitter.

1975 Robert Weil Kiedricher Gräfenberg Riesling Auslese - beautiful and sweet on the nose, with honey, preserved lemon, and dried tangerine peel.  Not too sweet on the palate.

2010 Chapoutier Ermitage L'Ermite - decanted 1½ hours prior to serving.  First whiff was almost Bordeaux-like, with smoke but not much fruit.  Showed eucalyptus and a hint of black pepper, and was still a little sharp on the nose in terms of alcohol.

1934 Henriques and Henriques Malmsey - THIS was an incredible treat.  Showing Asian pear like Korean or Japanese nashi with the mineral notes, and interesting, exotic spices, really ripe prunes, and even a little savory notes.

1996 Turley Hayne

Drinks at The 8 in Macau.

1996 Turley Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard - decanted 45 minutes prior to serving.  Very fruity nose, with ripe and stewed prunes.  Pretty sweet on the palate.  An hour after decanting the nose showed lots of alcohol, really bubble gum and super sweet candy nose, and started to have some honeydew melon feel.  Pretty hot on the palate now, and probably overripe.  Also showed a hint of leather and cedar.  A lovely wine.

Katsuyama Ken

Drinks at a friend's home.

Katsuyama Junmai Ginjo Ken (勝山  純米吟醸  献), 30BY - seimaibuai (精米歩合) of 50%.  Pretty sweet on attack, but dry mid-palate to finish.

Ganevat Le p'tiot Roukin

Drinking at home.

Ganevat Le p'tiot Roukin, 2016 - fruity, leather notes, a bit pungent.  A little savory on the palate.  Nice and fragrant later.

Bongwater Friday

Dinner at Neighborhood.

2014 Guiberteau Saumur Brézé - huge nose of toasty oak.  Very ripe on the palate, but still got plenty of acidity and very vibrant on the palate.

2016 Esporão Alentejo Reserva - big, flinty nose with some ripeness on the palate.

2016 Cos Nero di Lupo - minty, eucalyptus, fruity, dried herbs, and a bit leather on the nose.

Full post on dinner is here.

Bongwater with Gert

4-hands dinner at HAKU with Gert de Mangeleer.

Peter Lauer Saar Riesling Brut - big on the palate.  Some ripeness on the front palate but definitely showing acidity in the middle.  Flinty on the nose.  An interesting sparkling riesling.

2017 Brash Higgins ZBO - nose was very floral and honey, orange blossom, and reminded me of Hoegaarden.  Also had a hint of bitterness on the palate.  Could definitely taste the maceration.  Worked well with the tomatoes.

2012 Breton Bourgueil Les Perrières - smoky, animal.  Definitely peppery on the palate.

Graham's 30 Year Old Tawny Port - beautiful with lots of depth and a long finish.

Full post on dinner is here.

MNSC dinner - Neighborhood

MNSC dinner at Neighborhood, hosted by me.

Jacques Selosse V.O. - caramelized nose, a bit flat and mild on the palate, and acidity was not too high.

First flight: decanted 2 hours prior to serving.

1996 Harlan Estate - initially served too warm so alcoholic and hot.  Showed sweet fruit, vanilla, coconut butter, and smoky notes.  95 points.

1996 Abreu Madrona Ranch - smoky, leather notes.  A bit leaner on the palate, softer, and also a bit short.  93 points.

1996 Shafer Hillside Select - a bit more ripe on the nose, with black olives.  91 points.

Second flight: decanted 3 hours prior to serving.  Overall a bit more muted than expected.  Perhaps over-decanted?

2001 Harlan Estate - a bit muted on the nose.  Got nicer a little later with some fruit, maybe a hint of chocolate, and smoke.  Still tannic.  93 points.

2001 Colgin Herb Lamb Vineyard - a bit of smoke, some stewed fruit, and definitely more fruity than the Harlan.  93 points.

Third flight: decanted 3 hours and 15 minutes prior to serving.

2004 Colgin Cariad - minty, sweet on the palate.  93 points.

2004 Colgin IX Estate Red Wine - nice and sweet.  93 points.

Full post on dinner is here.

2017 Pietradolce

Dinner at Old Bailey.

2017 Pietradolce Etna Rosato - flinty with lots of red fruits.

Full post on dinner is here.