Aftermath

Aftermath. Counting the costs of the blow-out - or is it blow-up? Usually it's a bit quieter. And so it was, the next day. A couple of well-aged Champagnes came out first. A green stamped capsule French duty paid bottle of Louis Roederer Brut Premier from the Grunter. Lovely bottle development, and rich, as Roederer can be. The English love this style. Then a 1998 Veuve Clicquot Rose Reserve, gutsy, textured, a little aldehydic. Not that classy really, but a full and flavoursome one.

A series of odd-ball whites with pluses and minuses followed. The 2007 Salomon Unhof Gruner Veltliner Hochterrassen was not really 'Groo-Vee', but green and hard - 'solidsy', said Pedro. Then a refreshing, up-front and really drinkable 2008 Redmetal Chardonnay. Simple and good for it. A 1983 Drouhin Meursault Charmes was just drinkable and had an intriguing oak toastiness dominating the nuttiness. On the verge of falling over. As Pedro asked: "Did you intend to age it this long?" It was found in the depths of the long-lost treasure trove in the clean-up. $65.95 at the time. And not domaine fruit. Then an excellent, but hard-to-drink 2000 McWilliams Mt Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon. Steely, austere, herbs and lantana. Maybe another decade and a half will transform it to a sipping curio of great wonder?

Two 2003 Chateauneufs were controversial. The Chapoutier 'Bernadine' had sulphide, but was elegant, sweet, perfumed in Grenache fruit still, and quite supple. Grunter couldn't get past the stinkiness. He liked the Marchand 'Clos de Pontifes', which tasted like an unsulphured barrel sample. Admittedly blacker, riper and more fruity. SWMBO and I didn't like it, even though it was gifted by the proprietor after a chance meeting in an eaterie in Orange.

Then two sweeties, like the ladies present! The ANZWA Trophy winning 2008 Forrest 'Doctors' Noble Chenin Blanc was pure refined botrytis talc and wild honey. Super stuff. Also very enjoyable, but more a liqueur style was the 2008 Framingham Botrytised Viognier. Not much varietal character, but viscous stuff.

A nice and easy aftermath, afterall.