Dinner with friends

[Florida Jim]

Aperitif:

1990 Salomon, Riesling Pfaffenberg Reserve:

light bleach water and honey with pineapple and stone scents; very clean/

medium body; cooked pineapple, honey, mineral and apple flavors with a slight smoky edge; although viscous this wine has a lot of cut – the acids are alive and well, intense, concentrated and just ever so slightly out of balance toward acid/

very long, mouth-coating finish.

Decanted three hours as this bottle can have some sulpher smells upon opening. A truly complex wine with all sorts of interesting peaks and valleys across the palate.

About $25, delivered.

With caramelized onions and wild salmon cooked rare:

1999 Sylvie Esmonin, Clos Saint-Jacques:

penetrating nose of red and black fruit with a whiff of gravel dust/

medium bodied, flavors follow the nose but are pinched, mid-palate starts thin but gains weight as the wine opens, very well balanced/

medium length finish.

Closed on both the nose and palate and showing little of the plush power that arises from this dirt. Good juice but an infant. Hold.

About $45, delivered.

Best, Jim