In article . com>,
"DaleW" > wrote:

> For the January meeting of SOBER (Several Oenophiles Being Extremely
> Rambunctious) Mark Golodetz arranged a feast at the excellent Central
> Seafood in Hartsdale. This was a "bring the spouse/date and kids"
> event, but Betsy was in NC for concerts. A fine time was had by all,
> however, with excellent food, bubbly, and company. The restuarant did
> a fine job, with at least 15 courses, including assorted dim sum,
> lobster, crab, shrimp.oysters (biggest I've ever seen) in black bean
> sauce, halibut, duck, chicken, pork chops, baby bok choy, and more. I
> think the consensus favorite dish was probably the jalapeno shrimp (not
> really spicy, but a great combo with the bigger bubblies). The food was
> chosen as a match to Champagne, it did well, especially with the
> rosés.
>
> (note: my tastes in Champagne don't seem to mesh with the majority, and
> certainly didn't last night. While all notes are subjective, take these
> with an extra grain- nay, an extra Dead Sea of salt. No one else who
> attended would agree!)
>
> 2000 Huet Vouray Petillant
> My favorite alternative to Champagne. Baked apple flavors with a chalky
> minerality on the finish. Some find a metallic note, but I don't.
> Young, but tasty. B+
>
> NV Mont-Ferrant Rosé
> Quite a nice cava, with a rather amazing deep color. Crushed berry
> flavors, nice length for the level, very food friendly. B+/B
>
> Taittinger "Nocture" Sec Champagne
> Someone had said this should be dessert, but I was glad it was served
> where it was. It's just a tad sweet (I thought sec was sweeter than
> Extra Dry, but to my tastes this is drier than say Moet White Star),
> but with good acidity. Lemon and apple fruit. Matched well with the
> shark fin dumpling. I liked, but not enough to put on a buy list (think
> others liked more than I). B
>
> 1988 Lasalle Blanc de Blancs
> Nose is a rather complex melange of white fruit, vanilla, and hazelnut,
> But I found this a little disappointing and short on palate. Others
> liked far better. B/B-
>
> Taittinger "Brut Prestige" Rosé Champagne
> I think this was the clearest case where I liked more than table. For a
> NV pink bubbly I thought this was a delightful combination of lightness
> and length. Pretty red berries, toasted brioche, a bit of mineral. One
> of the better values B+/A-
>
> 1998 Heidseick Diamant Rosé
> (note" I'm not sure which of the 2 Heidseick houses this is)
> Cool looking bottle, this rosé is a rather funny peachy color. Orange,
> lime zest, and a nice whiff of smoke. B+
>
> 1982 Krug
> As a fan of lighter styled Champagne, Krug has never been a favorite.
> This didn't change that, but I really felt that I could see what the
> attraction was, even if I didn't share it. Nutty, with apple/"Brown
> Betty" flavors, spice, and very done Parker House rolls. Lots of
> complexity, just not my style (though I liked this better than the
> 1990). B
>
> 1990 Veuve Cliquot "La Grande Dame"
> I initially liked better than its Krug flightmate, but a revisit didn't
> bear that out. The fruit seemed quite fresh, and there was a delectable
> doughy note at first. But my second taste seemed a bit pedestrian for a
> tete de cuvee, I liked but wasn't wowwed. B
>
> 1998 Billecart-Salmon "Cuvee Elisabeth Salmon" Rose Champagne
> I admit to a prejudice towards the Champagne I brought. After it turned
> out I had drunk the wine I had intended to bring ('90 Pol Roger rose),
> I only had one cellared wine that seemed to be up to the level needed.
> But I didn't like that wine ('96 La Grande Dame) very much on a
> previous taste, so went out and splurged to get this because the 1989
> version was my favorite rosé Champagne ever. This was only a quarter
> step behind the '89, with dried cherry and citrus zest, chalk, and
> buttermilk biscuits. Elegant, lively, and lovely. A-
>
> 1999 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rose
> I also liked this a lot. Again, a combination of power and delicacy I
> really liked. Cranapple and cherry flavors, Grandma's in the kitchen
> baking yeast rolls. A-/B+
>
> Very fun night, if only Betsy could have attended. Thanks to Mark for
> organizing!
>
> Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
> wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
> drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
> promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

I surely have to agree with Billecart-Salmon as it is always the top of
my list though I have fonder memories of Krug than you.