On Jan 25, 7:26�pm, DaleW > wrote:
> Today was the 4th annual Peter Luger's Steaks at Peter Pratts event.
> organized by Mark Franks. A lot of work went into this (thanks Mark),
> but it was a resounding success from my viewpoint -good food, good
> wines, good people. I was at one of two tables that were originally
> Burgundy themed, but ours took a detour and became the Loire/Burgundy
> table. Betsy and I were happy to be at that table, nice balance of
> wines.
>
> 2004 Pinon Vouvray Brut (magnum)
> Fresh baked rolls, apple, a little honied note. For my tastes a far
> better deal than most NV Champagne that cost more, not especially
> elegant but satisfying bubbly. B+
>
> 1989 Huet "Le Haut-Lieu" �Vouvray �Sec
> Wooly, waxy, wovely. B+
>
> 1989 Prince Poniatowski "Aigle Blanc Vin de Tris" Vouvray
> So my memory of this was sec-tendre, but this was more demi-sec+. We
> put into the refrigerator (outside) and revisited later. Pleasant
> forthright Chenin, but not especially complex. Some other liked more
> than I. B
>
> 1995 Fourrier Clos St.-Jacques (magnum)
> Corked. Why does it have to be the magnums that are corked?
> Too bad, I have a 750 on hold, wanted a datapoint
>
> 1996 Fourrier Clos St.-Jacques
> This however was quite nice. Lovely earthy/floral/ferric nose, a bit
> shyer on palate, but opens with time. Red fruit, nice acids, very nice
> wine. B+/A-
>
> 1993 Arnoux "Chaumes" Vosne-Romanee
> Earthy, smoky, deep rich and tasty. B+/A-
>
> 1993 Lamarche "Chaumes"Vosne-Romanee
> Sweet and surprisingly ripe for a '93, pleasant but considerably less
> complex than the Arnoux. B
>
> (somewhere in here a bunch of appetizers came by- duck quesadillas,
> lamb chops, boar spring rolls, shrimp (I presume Gulf, pretty
> iodiney)- all tasty)
>
> Mystery wine #1 - a half bottle. In the decanter the nose is gorgeous,
> some barnyard and freshly turned earth, I'm guessing mid-80s Gevrey
> but apparently missed Jay saying it's not Burgundy. It's a 375 of the
> 1964 CVNE "Vina Real" Rioja (I didn't notice if this was a Riserva or
> GR). B++
>
> 1979 Drouhin "Clos des Chenes " Volnay
> This opens beautifully with a nose of wild mushrooms, damp earth, and
> cherry fruit. A little hightoned, the VA just brightened the wine
> without taking away from anything, solid. Within minutes it begins to
> seem a bit disjointed. At this point I write " A- on opening, falling
> to B-/C+" �But Jay points out �a surprising resurgence, and indeed it
> turns back into a pretty nice if aging Burgundy (though at this point
> Betsy thinks it tastes better than it smells).
>
> 1979 Latour "Champans" Volnay
> A bit jammy and ripe (someone says pruney, but for me that's going a
> bit too far). but good length and finish. Never quite realizes the
> heights of the Drouhin, but never comes close to the lows. B/B+
>
> a couple from other tables floated by:
> 1989 �Ch,. Margaux
> Great nose, that the palate didn't quite live up to. The nose is wild
> berries and floral, on the palate it's nice but just a tad foursquare.
> B+
>
> 1990 Jadot "Clos St. Jacques" Gevrey-Chambertin
> A child of the vintage, solid structure, but maybe a touch hot and
> fruit running towards jammy. Still, solid core. B
>
> Somewhere in here a mystery bottle was introduced. Unfortunately there
> was no mystery that the 1998 Gambal Mazis was corked to the max!
>
> 2003 Jadot " Clos de la Barre " Volnay
> Ripe redcurrant jelly fruit, low acids, what one might expect. Hard to
> pick out as Burgundy or even PN. Still, drinkable red wine. C+
>
> 1998 Jadot "Clos de la Barre" Volnay
> Fresher acids, more balanced, some smoke and cocoa over solid red
> fruit. Bigger style of Volnay, pretty nice. B+/B
>
> (Caesar salad plus a tomato salad that was surprisingly good for Jan
> were devoured)
>
> 2000 Potel Romanee-St.-Vivant
> Sandalwood, spice, bright and lively red fruits. Shows well over a
> period of hours, sorry this was my only bottle. A-
>
> 2000 DRC Romanee-St-Vivant
> This was from nearby table, some trades to compare, as there are
> rumors on the source of the Potel fruit. I find noses (red fruit with
> an exotic edge) pretty similar, though this is a bit more concentrated
> on palate. Lovely lovely wine. A-A
>
> 2004 Louis Jadot "Clos St Denis"
> There's a bit of greenness on nose, though it doesn't really carry
> through to the palate. Nice enough wine, but maybe in an awkward phase
> right now, seems a bit subdued. B
>
> (Loire CF time- porterhouse, fries, creamed spinach)
>
> 1996 Baudry "Les Grezeaux " Chinon
> Solid red and black currant fruit, this is a little muted compared to
> the '96 Joquet. Still a solid wine. B/B+
>
> 1997 Joguet "Clos de la Dioterie" Chinon
> Solid wine, but not as exciting as I'd have expected. Herbs, red and
> black fruits, a little mocha note. Nice concentration on palate, but a
> tad lacking on finish. B+/B
>
> 1996 Joguet "Clos de la Dioterie" Chinon
> Beautiful balance of acids, tannins, and fruit, dark berries and
> earth, a little tobacco leaf and cocoa. Great match with the steak,
> and one of my faves of the day. A-
>
> Some interlopers:
> 1990 Ch. Montrose
> Some found this too bretty, for me the barnyard is an accent not a
> dominant feature, rich black fruits. B+/A-
>
> 1989 Ch. Angelus
> Pretty, medium bodied, good length, nice. B+
>
> 1998 Ch. Haut Brion
> Young, vigorous, minerally, great length and concentration, but young!
> A-/B+
>
> (thanks to Keith, a great assortment of cheeses)
>
> 2005 Michele Redde "Cuvee Majorum " Pouilly Fume
> Good match with the Boucheron, but no clear memories of this
>
> 1988 Huet "Le Haut Lieu" Vouvray Demi-Sec
> Yum and double yum, apple cider and honeycomb, very good and fresh. B+
>
> 1995 R. Denis Touraine Les Azay Rideau
> Sweet fruit and chalky minerals, I know I liked but no note further
> notes written.
>
> 1989 Foreau/Clos Naudin �Vouvray Moelleux Reserve
> Lots of sweetness, citrus and honey, acidity keeps it lively, still
> quite young. A-
>
> 1989 Ch. d'Yquem
> Orange marmalade and apricots, some honey, long and complex. A-
> �
> Very fun day. Was very happy to have Betsy with me (especially since
> she was driving home). Nice table, nice wines. Nice to see old friends
> and make new ones.
>
> 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.

'64 CUNE Rioja was a Gran Riserva