Here are the latest wines I’ve had the pleasure of drinking along with the occasion…
Susan and Rich had come over for dinner last Friday, so it was an opportunity to have a couple of good wines. We started with the two Champagnes, had the Rose as an interlude, and then moved on to the Cabs. There was a slacker in the bunch.
2000 Philipponnat Brut Grand Cru Cuvee 1522 Champagne – We started with this Champagne. I was hoping that it would have a sentimental value to Susan and Rich as they have an empty bottle of this in their dining room that they bought in France. They talk about it often as being a great bottle, so when I found an updated vintage of the wine, thought it would be good to try with them. This did not disappoint. This is a mix of Pinot Noir (60%) and Chardonnay (40%), and had a light yellow color. This refreshing, medium bodied Champagne showed an initial nose of yeast, along with floral flavors, peaches and spice. The finish was relatively long, with a nice bit of acidity to cleanse the palate and get you ready for the next sip, or taste of food. Really enjoyed this wine. Grade of B+/A-.
1995 Duval Leroy Femme Champagne – I was a bit worried about how to follow the 1522, but forged forward with the Femme. I’ve had this wine twice before, and it’s been excellent each time. This wine has a vanilla creaminess to it, which complements and balances the lemon zesty acid to it. This wine is starting to show some of the complexity of an aged wine, but has a while to go in its life as well. There is a hint of caramel, as well as a bit of toast, roasted nuts, and honey. Terrific wine, and I wish that I could regularly find more. Grade of A- due to its balance and slightly more complexity than the 1522.
2010 Pascal & Nicolas Reverdy Terre de Maimbray Rose Sancerre – This was a great interlude between the Champagnes and the red wines. This pale salmon colored rose was nice and crisp, with a fragrant floral and berry perfume. The palate was clean, and showed ncie fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry. This was a fresh and elegant wine, with light, but not too light, flavors that danced on the tongue. No alcohol aftertaste was discernible, which some young Roses show. Grade of a solid B.
1995 Joseph Phelps Backus Vineyard Cabernet & 1997 Joseph Phelps Backus Vineyard Cabernet – I’m only going to write one combined note about these two wines. Drinking them side by side, they were clearly from the same producer & vineyard. Overall, both wines were delicious. Classic, well aged cabernets strutting their stuff (even allowing for a minor cork issue on the 1995). Both wines were dark purple, with no visible bricking yet. Fragrant notes of cassis, dark fruit, toasted oak, and a hint of coffee. The palate was full, rich, and lovely, but not overwhelming. Nor did it prevent you from wanting and drinking several glasses as the typical fruit-bombs can. Key flavors included chocolate, blackberry, cassis, tobacco, herbs, and coffee. The major difference between the two wines was that the 1997 finished with dusty tannins, as opposed to the more silky finish from the 1995. I think the 1995 deserved a Grade of A, while the 1997 was an A/A-.
NV Vilmart Cuvee Grand Cellier Rubis Rose Champagne – After the wine tasting at the Pluckemin, Jenn and I sat down with Steve & Mary, and Jeff & Dana for dinner out on the patio. We started with this wine, as Steve, Mary and Jenn consulted with Brian (the Sommelier) prior to sitting down. Vilmart makes some wonderful wines, and this Rose is an excellent example. With a bit of bottle age, the wines are well balanced between fruit and vinous flavors, and have a nice complexity from (in my opinion) the barrel aging program used at this estate. The color was medium pink, with a hint of orange. This is a full bodied rose, and made primarily from Pinot Noir. However, there is also a lightness and freshness that balances the flavor. The fruit is abundant, and this should drink well for quite a while. It was a nice glass to go by itself, along with the first courses, which varied from Oysters to Salads to Risotto. Grade of B+.
2000 Karl Lawrence Cabernet – I picked this wine as a follow up to the Vilmart Rose, and for something to go with everyone’s entrees. I enjoy the KL wines. They provide a bit of everything you’d expect from a cabernet, and at a reasonable price. While not a great vintage, I expected the 2000 to provide a full flavored, ready to drink wine. While not a spectacular wine, it does provide a full range of bouquet, color, and flavor, at about a ¾’s pace (and half price relative to a lot of wines these days). Color was dark purple/black, and the nose was fragrant. Hits of cherries, mocha, black fruits, spice, and vanilla, along with some oak on the finish, it was silky smooth and easy to enjoy. Medium to full bodied, this was drinking well now, and will not likely improve. Grade of B.
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