Wines with food

[Florida Jim]

With sautéed wild salmon and green lentils:

1999 Siduri, Pinot Noir Muirfield Vnyd.:

Smells and tastes like good Oregon pinot but the alcohol is so high that it candies the palate somewhat; probably better drunk sooner rather than later. Fair with the dish.

With Stilton and crackers:

1987 Vincent Arroyo, Cabernet Sauvignon:

At last. On release the fruit was so forward it all but covered the grainy tannins. Thereafter, the fruit receded and it became so tannic as to be undrinkable. Seventeen years later, much of the tannin as precipitated out (decanting required), the wine still has plenty of sweet fruit, and, the development of bottle bouquet and those tertiary flavors that come with aging is evident. I had no hope for this wine and opened this next to last bottle on a whim; what a surprise. I will save the last bottle for a couple years – maybe its 20th birthday would be the right time. Excellent with the cheese.

Who’d a thunk?

With spinach and mushroom pizza:

2000 Zenato, Valpolicella Ripassa:

Fruit, fruit and more fruit on both the nose and palate, a whisper of sur maturite; balanced and juicy in the mouth with good persistence. Nothing serious here but lots of fun to drink and the bottle was gone before we knew it. Must get more. Imported by Winebow.

With homemade carrot soup and olive bread, grilled cheese:

2000 Earl Alain Michaud, Brouilly Cuvee Prestige VV:

Translucent black/red; slightly gamy nose with deep black fruit, mineral, fresh air, light spice tones with hints of red fruit; satin texture, disarming complexity, slightly salty mineral accents on an almost brooding black fruit palate, concentrated, structured and intense but the overall impression is of harmony; excellent length. Simply the best example of high-quality gamay, ready to drink, I have tasted. The mouth-feel is memorable, the complexity extraordinary and the overall impression of the wine - incomparable.

Has the structure, balance and concentration to continue to develop but the texture is so sublime now; no one could be faulted for opening it today. Perfect with the food.

Amazing juice for $19, delivered. Imported by Becky Wasserman.

Best, Jim