With Betsy and her sister back in town, we had a belated Mother’s Day dinner.
Foie gras, lobster with ramp butter, an Ottolenghi salad endive/asparagus with yogurt/herb dressing, potatoes, and Cal brought kale/brussels sprouts
NV Charles Heidsieck Special Edition Rose (2019 disgorgement)
This is 2005 base (apparently it’s actually the 2005 vintage that they didn’t release as 2004 and 2006 were in pipeline). Cherry and blood orange, rye bread, delicate mousse, long zippy finish. Excellent stuff! A-/B+
2021 Capensis Chardonnay (Western Cape)
Pear, meyer lemon, light oak notes (hazelnutty), balanced acids, people enjoyed. B+
2017 Chandon de Briailles “Îles de Vergelesses” Pernand-Vergelesses Blanc 1er
Fresher than another recent bottles, green apple and Bosc pear, grapefruit zest, wet rocks on the finish. B+/A-
A neighbor thought (wrongly) he somehow owed me for helping him out, insisted on taking us to dinner. We had wanted to try O Mandarin in Hartsdale Steamed pork & leek dumplings(good), dan dan noodles (great), pea shoots with garlic(great), twice cooked pork belly with peppers (very good), tea smoked duck.(ok). I had a glass of Peyrassol rose that seemed dull and a bit tired. Vintage wasn’t listed, unsure if getting old or if just a BTG bottle that had been opened a week. C+/C but I don’t think it’s the wine’s fault
Miso marinated black cod, Shanghai bok choy tips with oyster sauce, rice with furikake and nori.
2013 Trimbach Geisberg Riesling
Peach, citrus and ginger. Big but with a firm acidic backbone, lively and long. Long future ahead but I like now. Long limestone finish. A-
I do wonder now that I think Trimbach makes 3 GC single vineyards what it means for the CFE
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.