21-Jan-99
Some five months ago I met with a small dedicated Jerusalem-based wine lovers group and had a very nice and tasty evening together (This is what I had to say about it).
Naturally, I was happy to accept an invitation to join this group for another evening of feasting and tasting...
Eleven of us gathered at a small and cosy Jerusalem restaurant that is famous (so I understand) for its Alsatian cuisine. We did not have anything particularly Alsatian as far as I could tell, but the food was very good though not spectacular.
Sauteed Goose Liver in lentil and Calvados sauce
1976 Gewurztraminer 'Kreuznacher Breitenweg' beernauslese, Karl Finkenauer
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Grouper in truffled sauce with Jerusalem Artichoke
1994 Chablis Grand Crus - Vaudesir, J. Drouhin
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Beef Medallions in red wine and port sauce
1986 Ch. Cos d'Estournel
1986 Ch. Lafite Rothschild
1989 Romanee St. Vivant, DRC
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Strawberry cake with cream, chocolate and meringue
Another extremely enjoyable evening with good food, convivial company and some very serious wines.
| Gewurz 'Kreuznacher Breitenweg' |
1976 |
Karl Finkenauer |
1/99. I have very little experience with German wines and this was my first truly mature 'beernauslese'.
Very deep golden color with impressive 'crystal' sediment at the bottom. Wonderful complex nose with still fresh fruit aroma on top of the flowery, minerally tones. Mouthfilling and multi-dimensional on the palate. Sweet but un-cloying. Rich texture and endless length. Extraordinary!!!
MARK: 19/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.
| Chablis - Vaudesir |
1994 |
J. Drouhin |
1/99. Pale, watery appearance. Profound Chardonnay nose but with neither hint of honey nor the steely cleanness I expect in from a Chablis Grand Cru. Lots of wood flavors on the palate with too high acidity for the not-so-concentrated winyness. Medium length. Probably still too young and will improve though I don't believe it will ever regain perfect balance. Very-good but not more.
MARK: 16/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? No.
| Ch. Cos d'Estournel |
1986 |
St. Estephe |
1/99. Deep dark red with some clearing around the rim. Pretty developed nose with reasonable fruit, noticeable cedar, pencil-tip and some sweetness. Much less impressive on the palate. Tasty but a bit hollow with a dry finish. Medium length and medium body. Very-good-plus.
MARK: 16.5/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? No.
| Ch. Lafite Rothschild |
1986 |
Pauillac |
1/99. Very dark red, almost no clearing around the rim. Super concentrated nose with gobs of black fruit and profound 'Bordeaux Nose'. Very elegant and enticing. Similarly rich taste that has the hallmark of a Grand Vin. Still a bit dry in the mid-palate though. Medium-long aftertaste, hefty body and perfect balance. No doubt this wine is headed for perfection in a few years time. Superb-plus!!
MARK: 18.5/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.
| Romanee St. Vivant |
1989 |
DRC |
1/99. This was my contribution to the evening. My second and last bottle of this fabulous (B) wine.
Medium ruby-red color. Fantastic complex nose of red fruits, wet forest floor, exotic spices and a wonderful robe of 'Bourgogne Nose'. Where the Ch. Lafite is impressive and awe inspiring, the RSV is enticing and sensual. Mouthfilling and vibrant on the palate with plenty of fruit, excellent acidity and plenty of winyness. "hyper active" on the palate as one of the participant observed. Multi-dimensional, medium body, great length and perfect balance. Totally captivating. Extraordinary!!!
MARK: 19/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.
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yak@yakshaya.com
Copyright 1996-2003.
Jacob "Yak" Shaya.