Dinner in Princeton

Oct 15, 2016
2 min read

A wonderful dinner in Princeton, NJ, with host Jim and friends. Several Oregon and California wines were tasted and we finished with a classic European sweet wine.

Big Table Farm Edelzwicker Wirtz Vineyard 2014. Field blend of Gewurtztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris. Medium gold. Aromatic, pronounced nose of pear, peach blossom and melon. Dry with crisp, pronounced acidity, melon, apple and white fruits. Medium finish. A delectable Oregon white.

Peter Michael Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille 2008. Medium gold colour. Medium + intense nose of citrus, honeysuckle and pineapple. Dry, medium bodied with medium acidity and rich, medium + flavours of citrus, caramel, baked pear and pineapple. Buttery medium + finish. A lovely Californian Chardonnay.

Beaux Freres Pinot Noir Beaux Freres Vineyard 2002. Medium ruby. Medium intense floral nose of cherry and sousbois. Medium bodied. Palate showing medium + acidity, medium + tannins and medium intense lean, cherry and raspberry fruit. Medium finish. A good Oregon Pinot Noir.

Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 1990. Medium garnet. Beautiful medium + intense nose of blackcurrants, mushroom, leather. Medium body. Palate has slightly bitter dark fruit, blackcurrant, cherry and medium well integrated tannins. Medium length. Fully mature. Nose promised more than the palate delivered.

Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 1994. Medium ruby colour. Medium + intense nose of cherries, herbs, blackcurrant, leather, cigar box. Medium bodied palate with medium + dusty tannins, medium acidity and rich intense fruit of blackcurrants, sour cherries and cedar wood, savoury notes. Very long finish. A very good, balanced Cabernet at its peak.

Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 1995. Medium purple colour. Pronounced nose of delicious red and black fruit with plums, cherry, blackcurrants, minerals and spice. Full bodied but balanced with medium acidity, firm but velvety tannins and intense fruit of blackcurrant, blackberry and herbs. Long finish. An outstanding maturer Cabernet for drinking now.

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 1985. Medium garnet. Medium + nose of cedar wood, blackcurrant, plums. Medium bodied. Elegant palate with a balanced medium + acidity, medium and well integrated tannins and medium intense black fruit and minerals. Medium + finish. A fine balanced Cabernet.

Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 1985. Bright, medium ruby. Medium + intense nose of cassis, blackcurrant, cherries and mint. Medium bodied with medium + intense flavours of fresh cherries, blackcurrant and floral notes. The medium + acidity is perfectly balanced with the fruit and medium + integrated tannins. Real mid-palate drive. Medium + length. An outstanding Californian classic.

Chateau d'Yquem 1986. Glorious medium gold. Pronounced botrytis nose of honey, ripe pineapple fruit, apricot and peach. Medium sweet, full bodied and multi-layered with apricot and peach on the palate. Bright, medium + acidity balancing the rich fruit. Creamy texture but a slightly bitter medium + finish. A classic Sauternes.