What I Drank Last Night – the polished, classy Flora Springs Trilogy 2006, a lush, complex Cab/Merlot/Cab Franc blend that manages to combine ripe California fruit with the sort of nuanced depth one usually only finds in a great claret.

Lots and lots of superb Burgundy from importer Frederick Wildman’s extensive portfolio of producers, 13 of whom were in town to promote their wines. This is a jovial crowd who enjoy their food as much as their wines, and La Grenouille efforts did not disappoint, eliciting sage nods of appreciation from this most discerning group.

Among my favorites: Moreau’s Le Clos Chablis 2009, the Morgon Côte du Py 2009, Chassagne-Montrachet Clos du Château de la Maltroye 2009, Gevrey-Chambertin La Combe aux Moines from Gallois, Humbert’s 2009 Poissenot Gevrey-Chambertin, the 2008 Clos de Vougeot from super-star Méo-Camuzet, and the stunning Clos de Bèze 2009 from Burguet.

The 2009’s are gorgeous wines, with many quite drinkable today though some, like the Vougeot, are still quite closed and will go on improving for two decades.

A memorable evening!

Fascinating tasting this morning of various Domaine Leflaive wines from 2007, 08 & 09. The ‘09’s were luscious and sensual, visceral wines. The ‘07’s were more about elegance and style, with bright, shiny acidity – intellectual wines. And the 2008’s? Well, let’s be kind and say it was a difficult year. My favorite will be featured as a Nick’s Wine of the Week very shortly.

What I Drank Last Night – High powered, high priced Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cab 2002 from Napa. A dense, opaque, super-concentrated wine, but none too subtle. Time had rendered it mellow and superficially appealing but it lacked elegance and complexity. A wine for collectors, new collectors.

What I Drank Last Night – At Lincoln Center’s sumptuous Italian, Lincoln, two different cuvées of Neil Bernardi’s elegant 2010 Migration Chardonnay, the Russian River Valley and the limited edition Charles Heinz Vineyard. The Heintz was perfection on first sip, positively Burgundian in its complex, mineral-hued delicacy, but faded a bit with time. The RRV moved in the opposite direction – a uncoordinated at first, it came together beautifully improving with every pour.

Neil Bernardi

What I Drank Last Night – A delectable Pommery Louise 1998, from plastic glasses no less. Enjoyed with friends at the Robert Young Antiques booth @WinterAntiques Show in the Park Avenue Armory. Chilly and restrained at first it soon opened up mellowing into a soft, gently biscuity delight, the magnificent Champagne unfazed by the humble plastic containers we drank it from.

Made with Beefeater Gin and Noilly Pratt Ambré Vermouth which provides an interesting variation of the traditional 6 pm restorative. Ambré gave the icy potion a richer and more earthy feel compared to NP’s original citrusy freshness.

Not sure I want it every day but definitely worth exploring, if you can find it.

What I Drank Last Night – the Bethel Heights Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008 was perfect with the Chicken Grand Mere at Matisse, a real bistro in mid-town east serving real bistro food like the chicken Grand Mere, the personification of French comfort food. Matisse has a commendably liberal BYOB policy so I took along the Pinot and the two made a perfect pairing.

Actually for lunch yesterday at the Pig’s Ear in Chelsea, London, Courage Directors Bitter from the cask, along with a rich game pie with a genuinely excellent golden pastry crust. For a brand that’s been batted around like a corporate shuttlecock for the last 25 years, it was pleasingly malty and authentic.

Real Beer

Real artisanal Sake is not hot jet fuel! All explained in my new article for Four Seasons Magazine.