Anniversaries at Victoria & Albert’s

March 16, 2007

Ron and Bev invited us to Victoria & Albert’s chef’s table in Disney’s Grand Floridian. We were joined by Philipe and Audrey. Chef Scott was in town (at last!) and provided an amazing meal, with several new creative touches. The menus were slightly different for the men and ladies. Here’s mine:

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Tasting Notes
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Flight 1 NV Krug Champagne Youthful color, nice effervescence, surprisingly nutty and toasty. 88 points
Flight 2 1961 Ch. Hut Brion Blanc When I went to pull this wine from my cellar I was surprised to discover it was a white that had been misfiled in the reds! Since we love Haut Brion Blanc, this was indeed a pleasant surprise. This is the oldest vintage of Haut Brion Blanc I’ve tasted, but I would have gueesed itwas from the 90’s. Light straw color, intense lemon nose, later becoming intense crushed mint leaves, dust, bees wax, soap, youthful floral finish. The nose continued to improve for hours. After three hours: lemon sherbert-coated vanilla ice cream bar, a hint of smokiness. Probably the wine of the evening. 98 points
1934 Ch. Olivier Clear but somewhat orage. Oxidized nose but pleasant, nutty, balanced mineral and citrus flavors. 83 points
2000 Ch. “Y” Pale straw, floral, white pepper, honey, vanilla, banana creme brule, dry but really fruity, bubble gum finish(!). Fabulous wine. 96 points
Flight 3 1961 Richebourg Paul Bouchard & Cie. Good color, big fruit nose, bacon fat, meat, youthful fruit finish, wood, citrus, cherries, mint, long, balanced, great match to pork reduction. 94 points
1929 Romanee St. Vivant Cloudy, plummy nose, caramel, sour cherries 88 points
Flight 4 1938 Ch. Mouton Rothschild I wasn’t expecting much from this, but it’s way better than the ’38 Cheval Blanc. Youthful, fruity, cherries, mushrooms, wood, mint, amazingly youthful, shoe polish, lead pencil, licorice, very focused. 97 points
1947 Ch. La Fleur Petrus Somewhat corked, mint, big fruit, herbs, chewy, very young, vanilla, long fruit, wood. 97 points
Flight 5 1968 BV Georges de la Tour Private Reserve Redwood nose, huge, chewy, mint, vanialla, big fruit, perfectly youthful, cherries, great match to corn and lamb confit. Nose later became pronounced curry. Fabulous bottle of a great wine. 95 points
1985 Camymus Special Selection Dusty, big fruit, still needs time. 92 points
Flight 6 1970 Ch. Caillou Creme de Tete Sauternes Ice wine from Barsac. Really interesting, and right up there near Yquem. Vanilla, figs, marmalade, medium to low acid. 92 points
1996 Ch. Suideraut Botrytis nose, very low acid 88 points
Flight 7 1990 Gaja Barolo Very corked. Velvety fruit Not rated
1982 Barbaresco Nicolini Medium ruby color, floral / meaty nose, sweet candy finish 90 points