2010 Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay Vendanges Selectionnées

13% abv. Early drinking window. Decanted and aerated for several hours. Produced from four select Village parcels in Volnay with average vine age of 53 years.

Very pretty translucent ruby color. Savory mix of florals and sous bois on the nose. 

There is a bit of ethereal magic to this interpretation of Volnay. Intense, yet nimble on the palate. Elegantly tart cherry fruit with a mouthwatering melange of forest floor and spice. Lovely chalky finish.

The Domaine's 1er Cru wines are superb, but this Volnay Vendanges Selectionnées is a soulful wine worth seeking out as well. 

Paired nicely with fresh Rochambeau oysters on the half shell from the southern Chesapeake Bay along with sauteed filet of Black Drum in anchovy / sunflower aillade.

2001 Joh Jos Christoffel Erben Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese

AP 8
8.0% abv

Mature honeyed citrus / pineapple palate. Rich viscous texture on the palate. Hints of petrol and stone. Delightfully sweet but not overbearing. 

Additional mineral complexity unfolds on the finish with extended aeration. A bit more acidity would offset the richness. A seductive and satisfying 2001 Mosel.

2002 Billecart-Salmon Millésime Brut Cuvée Nicolas François

 12.5% abv
Disgorgement date not shown on bottle

Finely beaded, beautifully mature wine. This is what the 2002 vintage in Champagne is all about.

Irresistible brioche / baked bread nose with hints of wildflower. Maintain proper serving temperature for optimal olfactory experience. 

60% Pinot Noir (from premier cru and grand crus vineyards in Montagne de Reims and Grande Vallée de la Marne) and 40% Chardonnay (from the Côte des Blancs). Overall 20% vinified in oak.

Vinous citrus palate. Lengthy rounded finish with a nice bit of salinity.  Drinks a bit more like nicely aged Blanc de Blanc at this stage.

Quite fruit dominated for a 19 year old Champagne. Should easily hold at peak for another 5 years or so with a lot more potential for additional tertiary development.

Paired nicely with grilled octopus and polenta, followed by whole black sea bass grilled over cherry-wood coals. The wood- fired grill at RockSalt in Charlotte is similar in design to those used at Victor Arguinzoniz' world famous Asador Etxebarri, in the mountains outside of San Sebastián. 

Champagne, Alto Adige and Santa Cruz Mtns

Dinner with friends Cindi, Carol, Brett and Alex afforded a wonderful opportunity to enjoy superb cuisine and wine at RockSalt restaurant.  A lively and fun evening!

2009 Louis Roederer Brut Vintage
Damn, I really enjoy this wine! The mouthwatering vinosity never fails to please. Pear and creamy brioche. Mostly Pinot Noir with Chardonnay supporting.
Wonderful pairing with Rappahannock oysters on the half shell.

2015 Cantina Terlano Pinot Bianco Vorberg Riserva
Drank few ounces and then stored away for the following evening. Gained quite a bit of presence and viscosity on day two with dinner. White peach and chalk with minerally finish kicking in. Incredibly silky mouthfeel.
Paired beautifully with grilled octopus on a bed of sticky rice, accented by roasted jalapeno honey, seaweed and lemon misto oil.

2014 Varner Pinot Noir Spring Ridge Vineyard Upper Picnic Block
Richly textured Morello cherry, mushroom, sassafras. Very enjoyable swansong interpretation of this vineyard from the Varner Brothers.
Paired deliciously with shrimp & grits with pork belly gravy.

2014 Nicolas Joly Clos de la Coulée de Serrant

Day one
Tight quince and slightly bitter minerality. Quite complex even young. Strong finish with ginger and honey notes. A classic Loire Chenin Blanc in the making. Needs another 3 to 5 years to hit peak drinking window. 

Day four 
Finished the bottle paired with a shrimp casserole. Wow! This wine really grabs your attention now with a glimpse of its lovely future. More open and giving with pear and brilliant, crystalline minerality on display. Long finish with deliciously herbal body/texture/mouthfeel that comes only from the great Loire Chenin Blancs.