Arv Rao lured 4 thirsty and hungry oenofools to Phoenix Garden in
midtown for a CdP-fest. Chteauneuf and Cantonese? I confess I was
sceptical. The food was actually very very very good- we had honey pork
ribs, salt & pepper shrimp, scallops, shrimp dumplings, snow pea
leaves, peking duck, a braised duck with black mushrooms, and my
personal favorite, an oyster-tofu-pork casserole. Only the shrimp
dishes were actually a bad match with the red Rhones, but the dishes
themselves were tasty -I could come back for a Chablis/Savennieres
dinner with all shrimp or squid.

Because of my scepticism, I had also brought along a bottle of the 2001
Dönnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Riesling Kabinett (Nahe). Closed at first.
Seems fairly dry for Dönnhoff, big apple and talc-y mineral notes,
some lime zest. Did well with the salt&pepper shrimp (with chive and
jalapeno). B+/A-

On to the Chteauneuf-du-Papes:

1989 Le Vieux Donjon
Round, mature, almost Burgundian. Medium-bodied, but with full flavors.
A little brett but in the "delicate pleasing accent" category rather
than the "horse with a poor diet" category for me (I'm moderately
brett-tolerant). Nice, I quite enjoyed. B+

2003 Le Vieux Donjon
This is probably my favorite 2003 CdP I've tasted to date.
This was probably my least favorite wine of the night.
Big, ripe, more Aussie than Rhone, but with less overcooked jam and
more acidic structure than some '03 CdPs. B

1999 Beaucastel
Brawny and earthy, big red fruit, a bit tannic. There's an herbiness
that adds a pleasant accent. Nice,needs time. B+

1995 Clos des Papes
Rather delicate after the Beau, nice red plum fruit with garrigue and
licorice. B+/A-

1998 Clos des Papes
Bigger and riper, but not overdone. I get a slight roasted note, others
argue that it's more raisiny. I think this is quite good, but in need
of more time. B+/B

A pretty good showing across the board. Not sure I would buy the 2003
Vieux Donjon, but I would happily drink it if served. All of the others
were wines I'd consider buying if I ran across at a good price. Thanks
to Arv 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.