First off, MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Well, I got the day after Christmas off. I can feel the rest of my thoughts catching up with me, hitting me in the back of the head as I have stopped. Please, forgive my absence, and allow me to share:
I had the joy of sharing what was the best white wine I've ever had thus far, to date, and probably the most expensive, which happened to be a gift from my boss, Maria:
Jean Marc Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet premier cru- La Maltroie 2010
How do I know it's the best white wine I've ever had? Because I could not stop finding more pleasantries while drinking it. It had never-ending pleasing character and qualities which my palette finds enjoyable.
What qualities are those? As soon as I opened it I could smell the apply tart-freshness coming from it. Luscious, juicy aromas enticing the senses to come dive in. A bit of earth you can sense from the robust character of the Chardonnay grape- a rustic, confident hint of honesty.
I was anxious at the first sip knowing I was getting into a wine of character I've not experienced before. Excited, but nervous perhaps for a let-down, or an experience happening outside of my ability to understand; Nervous for my self not being good enough. Yet, as high quality craftsmanship should express, this wine is undeniable, inviting anyone who drinks it to have more.
Like it hit every corner of my mouth, my senses were endlessly connecting notes defined by all I know as excellent.
Fresh, juicy, ripe green apple; Honey; light notes of hay; candied lemon; bruised apple; ripe pear; minerality like fast-moving, fresh river water;
We had butternut squash with gorgonzola, broccoli rabe simply done with garlic and olive oil, peruvian purple potatoes with sour cream and a little butter, and a standing rib roast with herbs and garlic. A guest brought an italian red wine which would be considered proper for such a meal and I poured myself some, but kept my Burgundy even closer. I was half surprised and half not to find that this white wine paired extremely well with this meal. Sensing more of the fresh acidity combatting (palette cleansing) and complementing the fattiness of the meat, the herbaceous character from the broccoli accenting the honey character in the wine, and the squash and gorgonzola accenting the tropical fruit expression in the wine- I just couldn't get enough.
In proper form, I am sad to finish the bottle. Nonetheless, a forget-less experience.
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, whether simple or grand cru classe. And, also, have a Happy New Year!!
