Wines with friends

[Florida Jim]

With a light lunch of turkey roll-ups, olives, cheeses, crackers, nuts and chips:

2000 J.P. Droin, Les Clos:

A deceptive wine that comes across as complete and resolved but with small moments when, on the back of the palate or that first whiff, it shows more “stuff” almost buried under the concentrated ripe fruit, excellent balance. Young and powerful with years to go until it shows all that is there. No sign of wood.

With dinner:

First course; a seafood mélange (shrimp, scallops and mahi-mahi) with a very light cream sauce:

1995 Moncuit, Cuvee Nichole Moncuit VV, Champagne:

Deeply scented and flavored for bubbly and not near as yeasty as some I have had with excellent mousse and great length. Palate cleansing and flavorful; a rare combination for my experience with Champagne. Delicious with the dish.

Second course; macaroni and cheese, and, a warm salad of spinach and mushrooms:

1999 Gallet, Cote-Rotie:

Hickory smoked bacon aromas dominate the nose with accents of warm bricks, berries, plums and black pepper. A worsted texture on the palate, ripe fruit, some of the smokiness, concentrated and intense with solid tannins and beautiful balance. There is elegance to the entire package despite both the fruit and structure being pretty intense.

A very fine example of its appellation and superb with the food. Thanks John.

Best, Jim