Todd was in town from AZ, and Salil summoned up a small group to once again greet him at Grand Sichuan on St Marks. I arrived to find Todd and Jay already there, and there was already a bottle open of the Bereche Campania Remensis Champagne. Apple and white cherries, lovely and refreshing, great match with the cucumbers in scallion sauce. I enjoy, but like even better when tasted later, while a touch warmer- brioche, nuts, nice length, B+./A-

First round of food included ribs, tea smoked duck, pork soup dumplings, and red cooked pork

1996 Guy Castagnier Mazy-Chambertin
Jay had recently said he had never had a Mazis/Mazy, so I brought this. Quite approachable for a '96, good but not shary acids, tannins mostly resolved. Evolved a lot during night (wine or my tastes as I had spicy foods?), but I enjoyed at each stage. Seemed to put on weight. Red and black cherries, sandalwood, a light meaty note. Maybe not a great Grand Cru, but this was quite affordable and wish I had gotten more a decade ago. Hope the CSD and Bonnes Mares show as well. B+/A-

1997 Arcadian "Pisoni" Pinot Noir
Spicy, red fruit, a little touch of mocha. Nicely balanced, again evolves through night, again unsure if the wine or my palate changing. I think oldest Arcadian I've tried. B+

Next round of food was spicier - cumin lamb, spicy chicken, and shredded beef with green peppers

2004 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Spatlese
Beautiful, my WOTN. Electric, lime and peach, slatey minerals, floral. Sweeter side of Spatlese but balanced by that acidity, and a great foil for the spicier foods. A-

1988 JJ Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Spatlese
Pit fruits, petrol, wet rocks. Balanced acids, on drier side of Spatlese, This fades a little at end of night, but overall I quite enjoyed. B+

2007 Nikolaihof Muskateller
I think others liked a bit more than I did. Very floral, a tropical note, perfumey. Needs a bit more acid, might have been better on own than with food. B/B-

2003 Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Spatlese
Wow, what good acidity for a 2003. Stony, sweet, with rich clean apple and apricot fruit. B+

1969 Schloss Reinhartshausen Erbacher Marcobrunn Spatlese
Others called this tired, I didn't taste any overt oxidation but it was surprisingly simple and soft. Applesauce and a little lemon. No prior experience with this producer. B-/C+

Very fun night with a very fun group

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. 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.