Thursday we had a quick bouillabaisse. I had heard Betsy mention how
great the cod had looked, and chilled a bottle of white Burg- once I
realized, I thought of switching, but stuck with the 2008 H. Boillot
Bourgogne Blanc. Big, rich for Bourgogne, but seems shockingly
advanced, even for a plastic cork. B-/C+

Friday was my actual birthday, we wanted to do something simple and
easy as we had a lot to do for Saturday. We went to Juniper, an
excellent little place in neighboring town. Starters were a lovely
salad and a tripe/chickpea dish, then Betsy had duck while I had
chicken with bread salad. I carried along 2 wines

NV Godme Rose (375)
Classic, red fruited, mineral, a little toast. B+

1982 Magdelaine (St Emilion)
I've always liked this wine (that's why I was drinking it on my
50th!), but this was best showing ever. Red fruit, solid acids, just a
little tannin remaining. Midbodied, elegant, long, with cigarbox,
herb, and earth notes. Continues to evolve, long and lovely. A

Saturday, we had 40 friends to celebrate my birthday. We rented a room
in a local church, Betsy and Annabelle planned the decorations, Betsy
parceled out food responsibilities to friends. I brought over a LOT of
wine, and let people for the most part just say what they felt like
trying, though I popped and double decanted most of the magnums in
advance (and opened the 3L, though didn't decant). John helped a lot
with decanting bottles once party got going. Nice time with nice
people who I care for, best way to spend a birthday weekend.

NB: notes are even less dependable than normal, I made periodic
cursory notes about once an hour, and I was not really spitting
(though I was dumping).

We started off with some Champagne, accompanied by my smoked trout
mousse and some spanakopita (frozen I think, but pretty good)

NV Roederer Brut Champagne (mag)
Good bottle- fresh and full, pear and apples, a little hint of yeast. B
+

1999 Pierre Peters "Cuvee Speciale" Blanc de Blancs (mag)
Nice fine mousse, fresh baking croissant, appley. I enjoyed this. B+

NV Cremant de Mumm
I had liked this much more previously, this seemed a little subdued
and short. B-/C+

Whites (mostly with some delicious marinated shrimp thanks to Mark,
and poached salmon with aioli from Bets)

2001 Malartic-Lagraviere (mag)
Opened with lots of backup handy, as I've had bad premOx problems with
01 Bdx. But this is just showing a hint of oxidation, but good acidity
and some nice citrus fruit, with a little hint of SB grassiness. Not
great, but sturdy. B

2004 Pepiere "Briords" Muscadet
Open, showing well. Stony, minerally, but with nice core fruit. B+/A-

2005 Pepiere Briords (mag)
Rounder/softer acids than the '04, but still enough to keep it
energized. Enough Muscadet minerals to please rockheads, but enough
fruit to please the more mainstream (some found the '04 too austere). B
+/A-

2007 Brun "Vinification Bourguignonne" Beaujolais Blanc
I had sent around a few of these. A bit plusher/richer than the
regular Brun white, but no obvious oak. Pears, flowers, good value. B+

1986 Chave Hermitage blanc
This was a whim buy not long ago, I know '86 isn't a great vintage but
it was well-priced. Waxy, honeysuckle, lemon, some oxidative notes.
Alive, but fading. Interesting, but I'm happier with the better-acided
wines. Still, fun to try (and a couple people really loved it) B-/B

We got ready for the reds, a lot went around with main courses,
although the consumption continued well past the main, past the cheese
and dessert, and through the cleanup.

The saddest food moment was that both meat mains (my onglet bulgogi
and Al's skirt steak ) were grilled rare so that warming would lead to
medium rare, but a hot oven led to overdone. Luckily the cuts and
marinades meant they at least weren't dry. Cal did a vegetable
lasagna, Nancy a dahl and rice. Sides included carrots, greens,
squash, & Brussels sprouts. OK, the wines:

Bdx
1979 du Tertre
Red fruit, solid acids, resolved tannins, earth. I really liked, a
pointe. A-

1978 Grand Puy Lacoste
Big divide over who preferred the 78 v 79 GPL. I'm in the 78 camp,
thought this classic mature Pauillac w/life left. A-

1979 Grand Puy Lacoste
Sharp, pleasant but overshadowed by its brother. B

1999 Nenin (3L)
Midmodern, low acid, not my favorite but great to have the big bottle
for the people who just wanted something red. B-

1978 Giscours
Corked, damn.

1978 Bouscaut
A bit thin, gravel, tobacco,red fruits, heading downhill, but still
satisfactory for the pittance it cost. B-

CalCab
1960 BV GdL
picks up weight, probably better 10 years ago (I probably was too),
but there's still plenty of interest here, classic Cali flavors if
maybe less complex than some of the others. B+B

1978 Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon (mag)
Double-decanted a couple hours before served, little sediment, more
pretty than complext to start, better with time, no hurry in this
format. B+

1974 Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular bottling, doesn't have the weight of the Reserve, but nice-
redder fruits and lots of herb. B+

1974 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon (mag)
My favorite of the CaliCabs, some others preferred the Mondavis. Loads
of sediment, big hearty fruit on decanting. Served 2 hours later I
thought this excellent- complex, rich, young. A-

1980 Burgess Cabernet Sauvignon
I wanted to try this (I had a load of Cabs handy) because Cellaraiders
has it for $25. Lots of herb on the nose, currants, then on the palate
a little thin. Not bad, and a decent deal at $25, but now that I've
had it don't need another. B/B-

Red Burgs
2001 Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny
I know I tasted this, and I've always liked, but I really didn't
write anything down.

1993 Gouges "Porrets" Nuits St George 1er
Acids, tannins, not too friendly right now. John with more experience
thinks it just needs time, will wait on others. Judgement reserved

1990 Gouges "Pruliers" Nuits St George 1er
Shows the vintage, though it's not overly roasted or soft. B

1991 Saintsbury Pinot Noir Reserve (mag)
a cheap bottle, with a little seepage. Some bottle stink blows off,
warm red fruit, a bit tired, but some people quite liked. Not sure
representative bottle B-

1993 Williams Selyem "Olivet Lane" Pinot Noir
This didn't have the Burgundian complexity of the 1991 recently tried,
but a solid mature CaliPN. B

Other

2002 Coudert (Clos de Roilette) Roilette Fleurie
Very divided opinions, with one person thinking corked, couple simply
not liking, and me liking. Still a little reticent, but to me it's
just saying "hey, I'm a nice Cru B, but I was napping" Still, with a
swirl a nice wine. B+

2004 Biondi "Outis" Etna Rosso
Tight, midbodied with good acidity, less expressive than I remembered.
B?

Dessert- I know there was red velvet cake and apple pie, unsure if
anything else (I don't do dessert). Also had some cheeses out(great
Ossau Iraty, good Roaring 40s, Stilton, & Gouda, disappointing
Camembert, an Epoisses I missed)

1994 Trimbach Gewurztraminer SGN
750 seemed a bit softer and less interesting than a 375 recently,
though it did seem younger. Still, a nice wine on the drier side of
dessert. B

1960 Fonseca Vintage Port
My last one of these. In decanter for about 4 hours before serving
(looked like a tawny on first pour, but picked up color). Nice
showing, moderate sweetness, resolved tannins, dark fruits, spice,
toffee. B+/A-

Other than the TCA Margaux, no wines I really disliked. A pretty good
showing overall. The best part was being with my friends, and opening
wines I liked for them. Small percentage of geeks there, but it was
nice watching those who aren't really into wine making the effort to
pay attention and comment, since it was my birthday and I care. It was
gratifying to have Mark and John there to let me get out my geeky side
too. :

Great birthday (though we realized how much more work it is to have a
party outside your own house), thanks to Betsy and friends (and the
kids we hired to bus tables, etc). I did have to lug home about 18
unopened bottles (we parcelled out the open bottles to those who
liked).

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.*

On Oct 3, 5:02*pm, DaleW > wrote:
> Thursday we had a quick bouillabaisse. I had heard Betsy mention how
> great the cod had looked, and chilled a bottle of white Burg- once I
> realized, I thought of switching, but stuck with the 2008 H. Boillot
> Bourgogne Blanc. Big, rich for Bourgogne, but seems shockingly
> advanced, even for a plastic cork. B-/C+
>
> Friday was my actual birthday, we wanted to do something simple and
> easy as we had a lot to do for Saturday. We went to Juniper, an
> excellent little place in neighboring town. Starters were a lovely
> salad and a tripe/chickpea dish, then Betsy had duck while I had
> chicken with bread salad. I carried along 2 wines
>
> NV Godme Rose (375)
> Classic, red fruited, mineral, a little toast. B+
>
> 1982 Magdelaine (St Emilion)
> I've always liked this wine (that's why I was drinking it on my
> 50th!), but this was best showing ever. Red fruit, solid acids, just a
> little tannin remaining. Midbodied, elegant, long, with cigarbox,
> herb, and earth notes. Continues to evolve, long and lovely. A
>
> Saturday, we had 40 friends to celebrate my birthday. We rented a room
> in *a local church, Betsy and Annabelle planned the decorations, Betsy
> parceled out food responsibilities to friends. I brought over a LOT of
> wine, and let people for the most part just say what they felt like
> trying, though I popped and double decanted most of the magnums in
> advance (and opened the 3L, though didn't decant). John helped a lot
> with decanting bottles once party got going. *Nice time with nice
> people who I care for, best way to spend a birthday weekend.
>
> NB: notes are even less dependable than normal, I made periodic
> cursory notes about once an hour, and I was not really spitting
> (though I was dumping).
>
> We started off with some Champagne, accompanied by my smoked trout
> mousse and some spanakopita (frozen I think, but pretty good)
>
> NV Roederer Brut Champagne (mag)
> Good bottle- fresh and full, pear and apples, a little hint of yeast. B
> +
>
> 1999 Pierre Peters "Cuvee Speciale" Blanc de Blancs (mag)
> Nice fine mousse, fresh baking croissant, appley. I enjoyed this. B+
>
> NV Cremant de Mumm
> I had liked this much more previously, this seemed a little subdued
> and short. B-/C+
>
> Whites (mostly with some delicious marinated shrimp thanks to Mark,
> and poached salmon with aioli from Bets)
>
> 2001 Malartic-Lagraviere (mag)
> Opened with lots of backup handy, as I've had bad premOx problems with
> 01 Bdx. But this is just showing a hint of oxidation, but good acidity
> and some nice citrus fruit, with a little hint of SB grassiness. Not
> great, but sturdy. B
>
> 2004 Pepiere "Briords" Muscadet
> Open, showing well. Stony, minerally, but with nice core fruit. B+/A-
>
> 2005 Pepiere Briords (mag)
> Rounder/softer acids than the '04, but still enough to keep it
> energized. Enough Muscadet minerals to please rockheads, but enough
> fruit to please the more mainstream (some found the '04 too austere). B
> +/A-
>
> 2007 Brun "Vinification Bourguignonne" Beaujolais Blanc
> I had sent around a few of these. A bit plusher/richer than the
> regular Brun white, but no obvious oak. Pears, flowers, good value. B+
>
> 1986 Chave Hermitage blanc
> This was a whim buy not long ago, I know '86 isn't a great vintage but
> it was well-priced. Waxy, honeysuckle, lemon, some oxidative notes.
> Alive, but fading. Interesting, but I'm happier with the better-acided
> wines. Still, fun to try (and a couple people really loved it) B-/B
>
> We got ready for the reds, a lot went around with main courses,
> although the consumption continued well past the main, past the cheese
> and dessert, and through the cleanup.
>
> The saddest food moment was that both meat mains (my onglet bulgogi
> and Al's skirt steak ) were grilled rare so that warming would lead to
> medium rare, but a hot oven led to overdone. Luckily the cuts and
> marinades meant they at least weren't dry. Cal did a vegetable
> lasagna, Nancy a dahl and rice. Sides included carrots, greens,
> squash, & Brussels sprouts. OK, the wines:
>
> Bdx
> 1979 du Tertre
> Red fruit, solid acids, resolved tannins, earth. I really liked, a
> pointe. A-
>
> 1978 Grand Puy Lacoste
> Big divide over who preferred the 78 v 79 GPL. I'm in the 78 camp,
> thought this classic mature Pauillac w/life left. A-
>
> 1979 Grand Puy Lacoste
> Sharp, pleasant but overshadowed by its brother. B
>
> 1999 Nenin (3L)
> Midmodern, low acid, not my favorite but great to have the big bottle
> for the people who just wanted something red. B-
>
> 1978 Giscours
> Corked, damn.
>
> 1978 Bouscaut
> A bit thin, gravel, tobacco,red fruits, heading downhill, but still
> satisfactory for the pittance it cost. B-
>
> CalCab
> 1960 BV GdL
> picks up weight, probably better 10 years ago (I probably was too),
> but there's still plenty of interest here, classic Cali flavors if
> maybe less complex than some of the others. B+B
>
> 1978 Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon (mag)
> Double-decanted a couple hours before served, little sediment, more
> pretty than complext to start, better with time, no hurry in this
> format. B+
>
> 1974 Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon
> Regular bottling, doesn't have the weight of the Reserve, but nice-
> redder fruits and lots of herb. B+
>
> 1974 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon (mag)
> My favorite of the CaliCabs, some others preferred the Mondavis. Loads
> of sediment, big hearty fruit on decanting. Served 2 hours later I
> thought this excellent- complex, rich, young. A-
>
> 1980 Burgess Cabernet Sauvignon
> I wanted to try this (I had a load of Cabs handy) because Cellaraiders
> has it for $25. Lots of herb on the nose, currants, then on the palate
> a little thin. Not bad, and a decent deal at $25, but now that I've
> had it don't need another. B/B-
>
> Red Burgs
> 2001 Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny
> I know I tasted this, and I've always liked, but I really didn't
> write anything down.
>
> 1993 Gouges "Porrets" Nuits St George 1er
> Acids, tannins, not too friendly right now. John with more experience
> thinks it just needs time, will wait on others. Judgement reserved
>
> 1990 Gouges "Pruliers" Nuits St George 1er
> Shows the vintage, though it's not overly roasted or soft. B
>
> 1991 Saintsbury Pinot Noir Reserve (mag)
> a cheap bottle, with a little seepage. Some bottle stink blows off,
> warm red fruit, a bit tired, but some people quite liked. Not sure
> representative bottle B-
>
> 1993 Williams Selyem "Olivet Lane" Pinot Noir
> This didn't have the Burgundian complexity of the 1991 recently tried,
> but a solid mature CaliPN. B
>
> Other
>
> 2002 Coudert (Clos de Roilette) Roilette Fleurie
> Very divided opinions, with one person thinking corked, couple simply
> not liking, and me liking. Still a little reticent, but to me it's
> just saying "hey, I'm a nice Cru B, but I was napping" *Still, with a
> swirl a nice wine. B+
>
> 2004 Biondi "Outis" Etna Rosso
> Tight, midbodied with good acidity, less expressive than I remembered.
> B?
>
> Dessert- I know there was red velvet cake and apple pie, unsure if
> anything else (I don't do dessert). Also had some cheeses *out(great
> Ossau Iraty, good Roaring 40s, Stilton, & Gouda, disappointing
> Camembert, an Epoisses I missed)
>
> 1994 Trimbach Gewurztraminer SGN
> 750 seemed a bit softer and less interesting than a 375 recently,
> though it did seem younger. Still, a nice wine on the drier side of
> dessert. B
>
> 1960 Fonseca Vintage Port
> My last one of these. In decanter for about 4 hours before serving
> (looked like a tawny on first pour, but picked up color). Nice
> showing, moderate sweetness, resolved tannins, dark fruits, spice,
> toffee. B+/A-
>
> Other than the TCA Margaux, no wines I really disliked. A pretty good
> showing overall. The best part was being with my friends, and opening
> wines I liked for them. Small percentage of geeks there, but it was
> nice watching those who aren't really into wine making the effort to
> pay attention and comment, since it was my birthday and I care. It was
> gratifying to have Mark and John there to let me get out my geeky side
> too. :
>
> Great birthday (though we realized how much more work it is to have a
> party outside your own house), thanks to Betsy and friends (and the
> kids we hired to bus tables, etc). I did have to lug home about 18
> unopened bottles (we parcelled out the open bottles to those who
> liked).
>
> 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.*

Happy Birthday Dale! Souonds like a great line-up of food and wine.
Thanks for the notes. I was interested int he Burgess note as I still
have a couple older Burgess wines. Glad the Pierre Peters showed
well...it's always a favorite of mine.

On Oct 4, 9:06*am, "Bi!!" > wrote:
> On Oct 3, 5:02*pm, DaleW > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Thursday we had a quick bouillabaisse. I had heard Betsy mention how
> > great the cod had looked, and chilled a bottle of white Burg- once I
> > realized, I thought of switching, but stuck with the 2008 H. Boillot
> > Bourgogne Blanc. Big, rich for Bourgogne, but seems shockingly
> > advanced, even for a plastic cork. B-/C+
>
> > Friday was my actual birthday, we wanted to do something simple and
> > easy as we had a lot to do for Saturday. We went to Juniper, an
> > excellent little place in neighboring town. Starters were a lovely
> > salad and a tripe/chickpea dish, then Betsy had duck while I had
> > chicken with bread salad. I carried along 2 wines
>
> > NV Godme Rose (375)
> > Classic, red fruited, mineral, a little toast. B+
>
> > 1982 Magdelaine (St Emilion)
> > I've always liked this wine (that's why I was drinking it on my
> > 50th!), but this was best showing ever. Red fruit, solid acids, just a
> > little tannin remaining. Midbodied, elegant, long, with cigarbox,
> > herb, and earth notes. Continues to evolve, long and lovely. A
>
> > Saturday, we had 40 friends to celebrate my birthday. We rented a room
> > in *a local church, Betsy and Annabelle planned the decorations, Betsy
> > parceled out food responsibilities to friends. I brought over a LOT of
> > wine, and let people for the most part just say what they felt like
> > trying, though I popped and double decanted most of the magnums in
> > advance (and opened the 3L, though didn't decant). John helped a lot
> > with decanting bottles once party got going. *Nice time with nice
> > people who I care for, best way to spend a birthday weekend.
>
> > NB: notes are even less dependable than normal, I made periodic
> > cursory notes about once an hour, and I was not really spitting
> > (though I was dumping).
>
> > We started off with some Champagne, accompanied by my smoked trout
> > mousse and some spanakopita (frozen I think, but pretty good)
>
> > NV Roederer Brut Champagne (mag)
> > Good bottle- fresh and full, pear and apples, a little hint of yeast. B
> > +
>
> > 1999 Pierre Peters "Cuvee Speciale" Blanc de Blancs (mag)
> > Nice fine mousse, fresh baking croissant, appley. I enjoyed this. B+
>
> > NV Cremant de Mumm
> > I had liked this much more previously, this seemed a little subdued
> > and short. B-/C+
>
> > Whites (mostly with some delicious marinated shrimp thanks to Mark,
> > and poached salmon with aioli from Bets)
>
> > 2001 Malartic-Lagraviere (mag)
> > Opened with lots of backup handy, as I've had bad premOx problems with
> > 01 Bdx. But this is just showing a hint of oxidation, but good acidity
> > and some nice citrus fruit, with a little hint of SB grassiness. Not
> > great, but sturdy. B
>
> > 2004 Pepiere "Briords" Muscadet
> > Open, showing well. Stony, minerally, but with nice core fruit. B+/A-
>
> > 2005 Pepiere Briords (mag)
> > Rounder/softer acids than the '04, but still enough to keep it
> > energized. Enough Muscadet minerals to please rockheads, but enough
> > fruit to please the more mainstream (some found the '04 too austere). B
> > +/A-
>
> > 2007 Brun "Vinification Bourguignonne" Beaujolais Blanc
> > I had sent around a few of these. A bit plusher/richer than the
> > regular Brun white, but no obvious oak. Pears, flowers, good value. B+
>
> > 1986 Chave Hermitage blanc
> > This was a whim buy not long ago, I know '86 isn't a great vintage but
> > it was well-priced. Waxy, honeysuckle, lemon, some oxidative notes.
> > Alive, but fading. Interesting, but I'm happier with the better-acided
> > wines. Still, fun to try (and a couple people really loved it) B-/B
>
> > We got ready for the reds, a lot went around with main courses,
> > although the consumption continued well past the main, past the cheese
> > and dessert, and through the cleanup.
>
> > The saddest food moment was that both meat mains (my onglet bulgogi
> > and Al's skirt steak ) were grilled rare so that warming would lead to
> > medium rare, but a hot oven led to overdone. Luckily the cuts and
> > marinades meant they at least weren't dry. Cal did a vegetable
> > lasagna, Nancy a dahl and rice. Sides included carrots, greens,
> > squash, & Brussels sprouts. OK, the wines:
>
> > Bdx
> > 1979 du Tertre
> > Red fruit, solid acids, resolved tannins, earth. I really liked, a
> > pointe. A-
>
> > 1978 Grand Puy Lacoste
> > Big divide over who preferred the 78 v 79 GPL. I'm in the 78 camp,
> > thought this classic mature Pauillac w/life left. A-
>
> > 1979 Grand Puy Lacoste
> > Sharp, pleasant but overshadowed by its brother. B
>
> > 1999 Nenin (3L)
> > Midmodern, low acid, not my favorite but great to have the big bottle
> > for the people who just wanted something red. B-
>
> > 1978 Giscours
> > Corked, damn.
>
> > 1978 Bouscaut
> > A bit thin, gravel, tobacco,red fruits, heading downhill, but still
> > satisfactory for the pittance it cost. B-
>
> > CalCab
> > 1960 BV GdL
> > picks up weight, probably better 10 years ago (I probably was too),
> > but there's still plenty of interest here, classic Cali flavors if
> > maybe less complex than some of the others. B+B
>
> > 1978 Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon (mag)
> > Double-decanted a couple hours before served, little sediment, more
> > pretty than complext to start, better with time, no hurry in this
> > format. B+
>
> > 1974 Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon
> > Regular bottling, doesn't have the weight of the Reserve, but nice-
> > redder fruits and lots of herb. B+
>
> > 1974 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon (mag)
> > My favorite of the CaliCabs, some others preferred the Mondavis. Loads
> > of sediment, big hearty fruit on decanting. Served 2 hours later I
> > thought this excellent- complex, rich, young. A-
>
> > 1980 Burgess Cabernet Sauvignon
> > I wanted to try this (I had a load of Cabs handy) because Cellaraiders
> > has it for $25. Lots of herb on the nose, currants, then on the palate
> > a little thin. Not bad, and a decent deal at $25, but now that I've
> > had it don't need another. B/B-
>
> > Red Burgs
> > 2001 Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny
> > I know I tasted this, and I've always liked, but I really didn't
> > write anything down.
>
> > 1993 Gouges "Porrets" Nuits St George 1er
> > Acids, tannins, not too friendly right now. John with more experience
> > thinks it just needs time, will wait on others. Judgement reserved
>
> > 1990 Gouges "Pruliers" Nuits St George 1er
> > Shows the vintage, though it's not overly roasted or soft. B
>
> > 1991 Saintsbury Pinot Noir Reserve (mag)
> > a cheap bottle, with a little seepage. Some bottle stink blows off,
> > warm red fruit, a bit tired, but some people quite liked. Not sure
> > representative bottle B-
>
> > 1993 Williams Selyem "Olivet Lane" Pinot Noir
> > This didn't have the Burgundian complexity of the 1991 recently tried,
> > but a solid mature CaliPN. B
>
> > Other
>
> > 2002 Coudert (Clos de Roilette) Roilette Fleurie
> > Very divided opinions, with one person thinking corked, couple simply
> > not liking, and me liking. Still a little reticent, but to me it's
> > just saying "hey, I'm a nice Cru B, but I was napping" *Still, with a
> > swirl a nice wine. B+
>
> > 2004 Biondi "Outis" Etna Rosso
> > Tight, midbodied with good acidity, less expressive than I remembered.
> > B?
>
> > Dessert- I know there was red velvet cake and apple pie, unsure if
> > anything else (I don't do dessert). Also had some cheeses *out(great
> > Ossau Iraty, good Roaring 40s, Stilton, & Gouda, disappointing
> > Camembert, an Epoisses I missed)
>
> > 1994 Trimbach Gewurztraminer SGN
> > 750 seemed a bit softer and less interesting than a 375 recently,
> > though it did seem younger. Still, a nice wine on the drier side of
> > dessert. B
>
> > 1960 Fonseca Vintage Port
> > My last one of these. In decanter for about 4 hours before serving
> > (looked like a tawny on first pour, but picked up color). Nice
> > showing, moderate sweetness, resolved tannins, dark fruits, spice,
> > toffee. B+/A-
>
> > Other than the TCA Margaux, no wines I really disliked. A pretty good
> > showing overall. The best part was being with my friends, and opening
> > wines I liked for them. Small percentage of geeks there, but it was
> > nice watching those who aren't really into wine making the effort to
> > pay attention and comment, since it was my birthday and I care. It was
> > gratifying to have Mark and John there to let me get out my geeky side
> > too. :
>
> > Great birthday (though we realized how much more work it is to have a
> > party outside your own house), thanks to Betsy and friends (and the
> > kids we hired to bus tables, etc). I did have to lug home about 18
> > unopened bottles (we parcelled out the open bottles to those who
> > liked).
>
> > 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.*
>
> Happy Birthday Dale! *Souonds like a great line-up of food and wine.
> Thanks for the notes. *I was interested int he Burgess note as I still
> have a couple older Burgess wines. *Glad the Pierre Peters showed
> well...it's always a favorite of mine.

thanks guys.
So last night (after a day of washing stems and tableclothes), we just
had pizza and tasted 3 leftover wnes. The Biondi Etna Rosso was much
more open and expressive, a lovely high acid red. The Brun "white
Burgundy" was tasty. The last half-glass of Chappellet was showing a
bit volatile, but still good fruit underneath

On Mon, 4 Oct 2010 06:06:58 -0700 (PDT), "Bi!!" >
wrote:


> Happy Birthday Dale!



Ditto from me!


--
Ken Blake

"Bi!!" > wrote in news:d476d209-c7e5-4c03-af70-
:

*
>
> Happy Birthday Dale! Souonds like a great line-up of food and wine.
> Thanks for the notes. I was interested int he Burgess note as I still
> have a couple older Burgess wines. Glad the Pierre Peters showed
> well...it's always a favorite of mine.

Pierre Peters Cuvée Speciale is a truly great wine (specially from Magnum),
but I think 1999 is still too young. I liked 1998 better but would not
touch mine until 15 years minimum after the harvest.

2002 is just released.

s.

And happy Birthday!!! now it is time to start preparing the celebrations
for your second fifty years!.

s.

Dale,
A belated Happy Birthday to you, big guy! It sounds as if you had a
rockin' good time, which is all to the good on an auspicious date like
your own. We recently opened a bottle of the '04 Briords for Andrew's
birthday (it is, after all, his birth year) and I agree with your
assessment of the wine. Nice job with all the '78 and '79 Bdx, too.
That '78 GPL does sound delicious. And nice touch including one
drinkable birthyear wine (the Fonseca). Too bad you missed out being
one year older or younger...

Mark Lipton

--
alt.food.wine FAQ: http://winefaq.cwdjr.net

On Oct 4, 6:49*pm, Mark Lipton > wrote:
> Dale,
> * *A belated Happy Birthday to you, big guy! *It sounds as if you had a
> rockin' good time, which is all to the good on an auspicious date like
> your own. *We recently opened a bottle of the '04 Briords for Andrew's
> birthday (it is, after all, his birth year) and I agree with your
> assessment of the wine. *Nice job with all the '78 and '79 Bdx, too.
> That '78 GPL does sound delicious. *And nice touch including one
> drinkable birthyear wine (the Fonseca). *Too bad you missed out being
> one year older or younger...
>
> Mark Lipton
>
> --
> alt.food.wine FAQ: *http://winefaq.cwdjr.net

Actually the '60 BV was quite drinkable, I just thought it a little
tired and a little simpler than the other older CalCabs. I think
Gilman and Golodetz liked it a bit more than me, but I was happy to
drink it.

On Oct 4, 6:14*pm, santiago > wrote:
> "Bi!!" > wrote in news:d476d209-c7e5-4c03-af70-
> :
>
> *
>
>
>
> > Happy Birthday Dale! *Souonds like a great line-up of food and wine.
> > Thanks for the notes. *I was interested int he Burgess note as I still
> > have a couple older Burgess wines. *Glad the Pierre Peters showed
> > well...it's always a favorite of mine.
>
> Pierre Peters Cuvée Speciale is a truly great wine (specially from Magnum),
> but I think 1999 is still too young. I liked 1998 better but would not
> touch mine until 15 years minimum after the harvest.
>
> 2002 is just released.
>
> s.

I agree it was young, but I was trying to go with big bottles to max
out the number of people who tasted each one, and this, the Roederer,
and a 90 Pommery Louise were all I own (and I've had the latter
recently). I don't buy many big bottles, and seldom get the chance to
open- our dinner parties max out at 8-10 generally, and since I open
many wines, big bottles are a waste.
Do you know if the Les Chetillons Cuvee Speciale is the same wine?

DaleW > wrote in news:e66670d1-b1ad-406c-b3d5-027a0a2aa358
@i5g2000yqe.googlegroups.com:

> I agree it was young, but I was trying to go with big bottles to max
> out the number of people who tasted each one, and this, the Roederer,
> and a 90 Pommery Louise were all I own (and I've had the latter
> recently).

No need to justify!!!

I don't buy many big bottles, and seldom get the chance to
> open- our dinner parties max out at 8-10 generally, and since I open
> many wines, big bottles are a waste.

I do not but many magnums either, but Champagne is an exception for us,
because we like it so much that drinking a magnum is not uncommon for my
wife and me. In fact, a normal bottle is usually gone before we start
dining!


> Do you know if the Les Chetillons Cuvee Speciale is the same wine?

If memory serves, in 2000 they included the mention "Les Chetillons" in the
label so it now is "Cuvée Speciale Les Chetillons".

I am about to make an order of the 2002 and will contact the importer in a
few weeks so I would ask him about this.

s.

On Oct 5, 4:17*am, santiago > wrote:
> DaleW > wrote in news:e66670d1-b1ad-406c-b3d5-027a0a2aa358
> @i5g2000yqe.googlegroups.com:
>
> > I agree it was young, but I was trying to go with big bottles to max
> > out the number of people who tasted each one, and this, the Roederer,
> > and a 90 Pommery Louise were all I own (and I've had the latter
> > recently).
>
> No need to justify!!!
>
> *I don't buy many big bottles, and seldom get the chance to
>
> > open- our dinner parties max out at 8-10 generally, and since I open
> > many wines, big bottles are a waste.
>
> I do not but many magnums either, but Champagne is an exception for us,
> because we like it so much that drinking a magnum is not uncommon for my
> wife and me. In fact, a normal bottle is usually gone before we start
> dining!
>
> > Do you know if the Les Chetillons Cuvee Speciale is the same wine?
>
> If memory serves, in 2000 they included the mention "Les Chetillons" in the
> label so it now is "Cuvée Speciale Les Chetillons".
>
> I am about to make an order of the 2002 and will contact the importer in a
> few weeks so I would ask him about this.
>
> s.

You know what the Champenoise say about magnums......ah, the lovely
magnum....too much for one....too little for two!

On 10/03/2010 11:02 PM, DaleW wrote:
[]:
>
> Great birthday (though we realized how much more work it is to have a
> party outside your own house), thanks to Betsy and friends (and the
> kids we hired to bus tables, etc). I did have to lug home about 18
> unopened bottles (we parcelled out the open bottles to those who
> liked).
[]

Many happy returns, Dale! And wishes for many many more years of tasting!

Nice one on the '60 Fonseca.

-E