Dinner with friends

[Florida Jim]

Beer battered asparagus with aioli

2002 F.X. Pichler, Grüuner Veltliner Frauenweingarten Federspiel:

Went well with the dish as a lightweight accompaniment with plenty of cut; got more textural and fuller flavored with air. About 11.5% alcohol.

Spring Pea Soup with Slow-Cooked Barley

2004 Cloudy Bay, Sauvignon Blanc:

All cut grass and grapefruit pith on a powerful nose; rounder on the palate with citrus and grassy flavors; medium length, crisp finish. Representative of NZ sauvignon and good with the dish but nobody went back for seconds. 13.5% alcohol and good with the dish.

Sear-Roasted Salmon with Lemon-Rosemary Butter Sauce and a Pistachio and Apple Salad

2002 Domaine Digioia-Royer, Chambolle-Musigny:

Slightly oaky on the nose and palate but also well concentrated Chambolle black fruit and a nice elegant package. If the oak integrates (and I think it will) this should be lovely in about three years. 13% alcohol.

and,

2002 Cazin, Cour-Cheverny Cuvée Renaissance:

Penetrating aromatics include sweet white fruit, mineral, flowers, white pepper, flint and ginger; full bodied with superb focus and complexity wherein the flavors follow the nose, texturally smooth, almost velvety, but also bright with lots of acidic cut, intense and concentrated, well balanced; very long, mineral and fruit driven finish. 12.5% alcohol and despite showing better than any other wine this night, it was still somewhat closed. Has an immense future in the cellar. Killer juice.

Hot Grand Marnier Soufflés

With coffee.

Best, Jim