When the invitation came my way to go to the lair of Dionysus and bring in the New Year with his family and friends, my heart started beating harder in my chest and I felt a flush of excitement over my entire body. No one in their right mind would miss a chance to enjoy the hospitality of the great Dionysus and his lovely wife.
Those of you who read my blog on a regular basis have read the experiences I have had at the hands of Dionysus. A most generous wine lover who thinks nothing of opening his best bottles and sharing them with his guests. It is because of him I experienced the sublime juice of a ’47 Petrus, an experience I will never forget. Needless to say, it was with much anticipation that my wife and I traveled to his home to bring in 2012.
I like Dionysus and his family. I would enjoy their company wine or not. However, you do not go to his lair without enjoying the sweet libations of the vine, I and knew he would be bringing out some of his best. To my pleasant surprise, it was more then I could have imagined.
I did not bring my Moleskine to the party, because I was not there to taste. I went to have a good time, enjoy the company and of course drink. And drink I did while listening to the outstanding guitar playing of Randy Hansen. Here is a run down of the wine that Dionysus busted out for the party. (I’m going by memory here so I will do my best.)
I counted seven magnums of Champagne that were offered. ’85 & 2000 Dom Perignon Rose, vintage Cristal( I believe ’85), two vintage Krug, one was an ’85 that I remember and a ’61 Billecart-Salmon. I brought a magnum of Jacques Copinet non-vintage brut. I tried the ’85 Dom rose first and was blown away by the flavors and acidity yet it had an underlying muscularity that gave it a lot of depth. Delicious!
The Cristal was what I expected. Huge floral and fruit notes on the nose. Bracing on the palate with notes of apricots, bread dough and crisp apple flavors. I could have smelled this Champagne all night and been happy. Of course, drinking it was a necessity. The’85 Krug was mysterious and sexy with notes of coconut, apple and bread dough. Having been aged in barrel it was softer and deeper then I had remembered in the past. The last 1 opened for the night before I left was the ’61 Billecart-Salmon. I can only say that it was a religious experience. It was alive and well with brilliant acidity and lively notes of citrus and apple. Bone dry, vibrant and delicious.
The reds that he had lined up for the night were no less then redunkulous! Vintages ’94 – ’97 Bryant Family Vineyards, a ’94 & ’97 Harlan along with a ’97 Screaming Eagle, Abreu Vineyards and Dalla Valle Maya. Joining that group of cabs was an ’89 Beaucastel Homage Jaques Perrin Chatueaneuf-du-Pape and a magnum of ’07 Beaucastel. To top it off and send the palate into sensory overload, there were several bottles of Sine Qua Non. ’03 Papa syrah, ’08 The Line grenache, ’08 Poker Face syrah and B20.
I will spare you the details of tasting since my memory is just a little foggy. However, they all stood out as special and there were a couple that were quite memorable. The ’97 Abreu cab was one step away from decadent. Rich and smooth it reminded my of some of the best chocolate frosting you could possibly get your hands on liquified and blended with the best dark cherries and black plums. I absolutely loved the Bryant Family line-up. My favorite vintages were the ’07, ’06 and ’04 in that order. My favorite of the night was the ’97 Dalla Valle “Maya”. I loved it because of the balance of acidity and fruit. It was vibrant and alive with tons of room to age.
Leaving the party in fairly good condition, I slept peacefully that night with visions of cabernet and Champagne dancing in my head. I pinched myself in the morning to make sure that all of this really happened, and considering the hangover I was experiencing I knew it was true. To bring my palate back to reality, I had a dose of homemade AppleJack the next night and now I am ready to be the Blue Collar Wine Guy once again.
I will never forget bringing in 2012 with Dionysus and his family and I am thankful and humbled by the experience. Cheers! Stan The Wine Man
