2008 Louis Roederer Cristal

12% abv

From Stephen Reinhardt:
"....60/40 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from 36 plots in seven grands crus: Verzy, Verzenay, Beaumont and Aÿ for the Pinot Noir and Mesnil, Avize and Cramant for the Chardonnay. Twenty-five percent of the wine was fermented in oak, and 16% underwent malolactic fermentation to moderate the fresh acidity of the 2008 vintage. The assemblage was bottled in May 2009. After 8.5 years on the second lees (longer than any Cristal before), the first release was disgorged in September 2017 with a relatively low dosage of 7.5 grams per liter...."

Characterized by taut crystalline energy, harnessed more elegantly than any champagne I've ever had. There doesn't seem to be a note out of place with this first movement in its symphony of development.

Brilliant cut of chalky minerality balances the purest quality fruit. Lilting brioche, almond and flowers on the nose. Super-fine bead. A thrilling wine that is built to age beautifully, and is deserving of the fanfare surrounding its release.

While the 2008 Dom Pérignon we tried recently was a bit more approachable, the 2008 Cristal is definitely worth checking out now.

Paired nicely with sauteed scallops.

2005 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano

As happens so often with great young wines, the last glass in the wee hours is the most memorable 🍷😊

Decanted and aerated for five hours prior to dinner. Minimal sediment. 

Utterly classic perfumed nose. Clearly, a wine of great elegance and balance from the start. Got better and better throughout the evening.

Delicious dusty fine-grained tannins caress the palate, and bode extremely well for further aging and tertiary development. 

A structured sweetness to the black cherry fruit complements the tar, balsam and anise accents. The  magical combination of elements that can make the truly great wines of Barbaresco so gracefully compelling.

Paired beautifully with grilled lamb chops, garlic-proscuitto mashed potatoes, and broccoli rabe.

NV Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve

(40% pinot meunier, 30% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay)
No disgorgement date shown.
Very satisfying, widely available, entry level Champage.
Paired nicely with sauteed crab cakes on day 1.
Paired even better with grilled tuna steaks on day 2. 
Day 2 is actually where this wine really shined (sealed with Rabbit Champagne sealer overnight, which works great)
Letting the wine warm in the glass on day 2 revealed a wonderful chalky character with beautiful vinous palate. The Pinot Meunier provides interesting complexity. 

Great Brewskies and Jazz

https://youtu.be/ojpRvh-nqY8

Two different brewsky styles, one elegant and refreshing while the other is robust and forward. 

Both go very well with Charles Lloyd and the Marvels, featuring Lucinda Williams... one of my favorite ensembles of late .... perfect laid back Sunday evening on the porch atmosphere 🍻👍😊🎶

This opening cut on the album has a beautiful pedal steel woven into a great jazz piece... brilliant