NEW YEAR'S EVE
December 31, 2002
Hosted by Alexia and Henry Moore
In Woodside, California
Marjorie, Bob, Paul, Sandy, Gerald
& Henry and Alexia
Henry opened the 1995 Pommery Vintage Brut , a delicious, rich, toasty, creamy
Champagne. This house typically has wines that strike me as light and
simple, so this was a revelation!
Marjorie cashed in a T-Bill and treated us to some Beluga Caviar.
Sandy Obester took care of a basket of artichoke bottoms, stuffing them with
shrimp, so we had some nice nibbles with the Champagne.
The second bottle was a 1996 Agrapart Champagne, a steely-edged Blanc de
Blanc...very fine!
Henry then got busy and fired up the crab pot. Fresh, locally caught
Dungeness Crab!!
Henry looked so cute wearing that apron!
1984 HENRI CLERC PULIGNY-MONTRACHET "LES COMBETTES"
was smoky and toasty, quite dry and still alive.
1987 TALBOTT Monterey CHARDONNAY
was a bit fresher and brighter...certainly showing nice fruit.
And the fresh crab was delicious!
We then decanted a couple of 1978 Bordeaux:
PICHON BARON Pauillac
***
PRIEUR-LICHINE Margaux
Henry was busy grilling the Beef Tenderloin and Glazing them with Cognac!
Alexia fussed with the Caramelized Onions and Rosemary-seasoned Potatoes.
Et Voila!!!
The Pichon Baron came from an era when that estate was not
amongst the elite. The wine displayed a hint of an herbal note, more than
the red or black fruit notes of really ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine
was still quite nice, though, but of less intensity than the wines that domaine
produces today.
The Prieur-Lichine winery was in its prime back then, as American Alexis
Lichine worked hard to put his property "on the map." The 1978
was the richer wine, showing ripe fruit and a mildly cedary note.
Both wines are at their peak.
The cheese course was paired with two 1985 red Burgundies:
FAIVELEY CHAMBERTIN-CLOS de BZE
which was still a bit tannic! The wine had nice fruit, though, so I
suppose it will last many more years.
DOMAINE THOMAS-MOILLARD VOSNE-ROMANE Malconsorts
This wine was okay, but not particularly Burgundian. It has hints of Pinot
Noir, but was over-shadowed by the Faiveley.
Dessert was Alexia's Pear Tart.
Alexia opened a 1979 CHTEAU SUDUIRAUT Sauternes for dessert. The 1979
vintage is not a "Hall of Fame" year, yet the wine was just the right
sweetness for the fruit tart.
Henry then offered some eaux-de-vie and the group of revelers exchanged holiday
gifts.
Henry was especially delighted with the gift of Bacon.
It was a lovely evening and a great start for 2003!
Thanks to our host and hostess with the mostest!
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