We debated in our tasting group of what to bring for a dinner like this. There was no set menu and it was a free for all when ordering. Appetizers ranged from candied walnuts, schezchuan dumplings, soft shell crab and noodle in peanut sauce. Meals ranged from Peking Duck, Scheczuan Whole Fish, scallops as well as other chicken dishes. We started with whites, went to pinot and finished with two syrahs and an Aussie uperstar.
2008 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Vieilles Vignes - France, Alsace, Alsace AOC
This was the WOTN for me as it paired really well with Chinese food. Beautiful golden color. Honey suckle, apricot and lemon peel on the nose and pallet with a touch of nectarine. Great acidity and some wet stone minerality that added character. Excellent mouthfeel and body to this wine. Sweet but not cloying. Better served on the chillier side. (94 pts.)
2005 Trimbach Pinot Gris Reserve - France, Alsace, Alsace AOC
Crisp, clean and solid acidic mid palate with depth of flavors: mostly lemon and grapefruit for me. Finished with subtle vanilla undertones. Somewhat simple but nice pairing with the Chinese food. (87 pts.)
2007 Melville Pinot Noir Swan Clone Estate - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills
Now we are talking. I was doubtful that pinot would match with Chinese food but it worked really well. Forest floor and raspberry nose. Same on palate. This is a delicious wine with great body and awesome finish. Silly how well made this is! The sweet cherry finish had me sold! (93 pts.)
2005 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills
Went well with spicy Chinese fish. Bright red fruit but a bit tart in the mid-palate. This wine is fresh and young in a big Cali style. I think it may show better in a year. (91 pts.)
2006 Grand Rêve Vintners / Force Majeure Syrah Collaboration Series III Ciel du Cheval Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
This wine was somewhat awkward with the food pairing of Chinese whole fish. It was well made and well balanced. Blackberry and other black fruit formed a chewy mid palate. The finish was nice, a bit soft and somewhat non-descript on this showing.
On Day2, since there was 1/3 bottle left, the wine showed beautifully. I let it slow ox overnight and the complexity really came out. I would give it 92 points on Day 2. The moral of the story is... Don't eat with Chinese food and decant or slow ox this puppy for a long time before drinking it. (87 pts.)
2007 Ramey Syrah Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Like the Grand Reve, I just think this score was more a function of the pairing with our meal and not the wine itself. It was awkward as well. Nice smokey nose with a bit of heat in the nostrils. The fruit was there with red cherry and some blood sausage but it seemed hollow and thin. I just didn't get it. I reserve the right to re-visit this wine in a different atmosphere as I think it may show differently with better food pairing. (85 pts.)
2004 Clarendon Hills Astralis - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Clarendon
What a nose! My first impression and taste was all soft raspberry with a milk chocolate drizzle. I really liked the pairing with our chinese food but is not as luscious as other Astralis that I have had, espcially the 1997 which I thought was monumental. This wine was somewhat one dimernsional in its flavor proflile. Don't get me wrong, it is a great bottle of wine and will last a decade. (92 pts.)
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