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Z-H Riesling..... Campillo 'Reserva Special'..... Mazis Chambertin.....


16-Feb-2001

A pre-Birthday Friday night dinner for six at home.

Humus and shrimps soup
1995 Riesling 'Clos Windsbuhl', Zind-Humbrecht
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Filo pastry filled with Jamon and cheese, topped with roasted peppers
1994 Rioja 'Reserva Special', Campillo
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Roast of Prime Rib with dauphinee potatoes and artichoke
1990 Mazis Chambertin
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Grilled strawberries in Cointreau and whipped-cream



Riesling 'Clos Windsbuhl' 1995 Zind-Humbrecht

2/2001. Acquired from New-York June-99 for $51.
The rich flamboyant style of Zind-Humbrecht makes every bottle of their single-vineyard wines a celebration (though hardly typical Alsatian) experience.
COLOR: Full golden yellow. Looks rich and inviting.
NOSE: Extremely rich and round nose. Fruity, minerally and mellow. A touch of honey with incredible depth of fat buttery aromas.
TASTE: Fills the mouth with concentrated nectar. Opulent rich and deep without being sweet. Full blown and forward. Very tasty and impressive.
LENGTH: Long aftertaste that leaves the palate with a taste for more.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Medium-full body. Rich fat and multi-layered. Not bone-dry but neither sweet or cloying. Superbly balanced.
OVERALL: Superb! Another example of a prime Zind-Humbrecht example. Simply great right now, but many years of gaining complexity lie ahead.
MARK: 18.5/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.


Rioja 'Reserva Special' 1994 Campillo

2/2001. Acquired from Spain Jan-00 for $23.
Some six months ago I tasted the 'Reserva' version of the 1994 Campillo and a fine wine it was. Let's see if the 'Reserva Special' is really better.
COLOR: Pretty dark purple. Thin clearing around the rim.
NOSE: Deep profound Rioja nose. Lush complex fruit that has that typical Tempranillo smell [but without any 'dusty' notes]. Bitter-sweet tones with good oak background.
TASTE: Wonderfully multi-flavored on the palate. Ripe black fruit, plenty of winyness, excellent concentration and focus. Good acidity and very soft tannins. Full of character and extremely tasty.
LENGTH: Very long lingering finish.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Medium-bodied velvety-textured wine of elegant proportions. Mature fruit, fine backbone and excellent balance. At or around its peak now.
OVERALL: Superb! A full notch better than the 'simple' Reserva.
MARK: 18.5/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.


Mazis Chambertin 1990 J. Faiveley

2/2001. Bought at auction May-96 for $75.
I consider Faiveley's Mazis Chambertin to be the best of their long line of wines. IMHO it is usually better than their Clos de Beze.
COLOR: Medium-light ruby, noticeable clearing around the rim.
NOSE: Well developed fully forward rich nose. Ripe red fruit, with beautiful clean 'Bourgogne Nose' around it. Damp earth, mushrooms, leather - all combine to bring out that wonderful high-class (B) nose that is ever so enticing.
TASTE: Seductive, voluptuous and by now completely open. Sweetish cherries and raspberries, plenty of winyness, nicely [though not overly] concentrated. Good grip with excellent acidity and receding tannins. Every sip is a pure pleasure.
LENGTH: Long persisting aftertaste that carries the fruit to the finish.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Medium-full body, fine complexity and concentration, very good fruit - all in beautiful harmony. Sensuous and perfectly balanced.
OVERALL: Very Fine. A real Grand Cru that will bring joy to any (B) lover. At its peak now but will hold.
MARK: 18/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.


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Jacob "Yak" Shaya.