WLDG regular Ramon Cabrera is in Manila for a few days so we took the opportunity to share a couple of bottles at Lemuria.
Domane Wachau Gruner Veltliner Steinfeder 2005 - Very dry, lemony, slightly smoky. Very nice. Floral notes on the finish. A good starter to whet the appetite.
Navarro Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2006 - Arnie thought he had pulled out the regular Gewurz and didn't read the label carefully but it had already been uncorked and poured before we figured out he brought a dessert wine. In any case, it went well enough with the amuse bouche which had a puff pastry with a bit of marmalade on it. Very rich, oily. Classic lychee. Smoky. A touch of sulfur on the nose. Excellent.
Dry River Pinot Noir Martinborough 2006 - Attractive nose. Strawberry and spices. Dense and rich for Pinot. Good acidity. Quite soft. Very fruity but dry. Excellent.
Hitching Post Highliner 2005 - This should have been served before the Dry River as it was much lighter and more typically Pinot. Tobacco and sweet fruit. Unfortunately overwhelmed by the previous wine. Good.
Chateau Montrose 1989 - Very dark. Still has a bit of tannin to it. Could go a few more years before peaking. A real classic. Pencil shavings. Good, savory flavor. Everything in balance. Close to perfection. Outstanding and my WOTN.
Chateau Le Bon Pasteur 1990 - Quite fruity and sweet. Some spice. Soft, but firms up on the finish. At peak now. Very good.
Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1993 - Very dark. Tobacco, spice, prune. There's a citrus-like acidity on the finish. Still holding up quite well but probably starting to decline. Best to drink up. Good.
Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1994 - Very dark. Sweet fruit. Still firm and tight. Unyielding tonight although some disagreed with that assessment. For me, give it a few more years. Judgment reserved.
Corte Riva Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Mabuhay 2004
Quinta do Noval LBV 1997 - Chocolate. Very concentrated plum and sweet spices. Figs. Ready to drink but will have no problem aging many more years. Excellent stuff.
Hopefully we can get together one more time before Ramon heads back to New York.