WWMeade

Over the past few months: 1971 Schloss Vollrads Beerenauslese 1976 Berncastler (sp?) Doctor Beernauslese/Von Thanisch (internet note said this was "light", which was hard to believe but also very true. A disappointment.) 1976 Niersteiner Orbel Auslese/Weingut Eugen Weherheim Nierstein. Really lovely. 1988 Gewurztraminer SGN/Dom, Schlumberger. (Didn't know what to expect. Orange/pear; a brandy-like intensity and a delight.)

It was a lovely mahogany. When David S left, Pearson's had an astonishing sell off - all their German wines at 50%, which I didn't believe until I got to the store to find myself with others on a snowy evening rummaging in the dusty upstairs bins through a treasure trove of BAs and TBAs. David had offered to swap some of those for a wine I had - a 1964 Von Simmern Rauentheler Herberg TBA. I believe this vineyard was merged into Baiken under the 1971 German changes. The 1964 we had - with some trepidation as to age - about two years ago. We are forever indebted to anonymous grape pickers harvesting grapes in the deep fall/winter of 1963 who created the thing of beauty we enjoyed in 2007. Sometime soon: 1959 Steinberger TBA (color is said to be dark bordering on black).

Drinking over the last few days -- 1971 JJ Prum Graacher Himmelreich Beerenauslese (lemon...lime...lemon custard...key lime pie and, later, bright green apple) 1978 Ridge Calif. Zinfandel Late Harvest 10.5% Residual Sugar half bottle (essence of blackberries; licquer like but not heavy) 1998 Grand Corbin Despagne 1993 Bacharacher Wolfshohle Riesling Spatlese - Ratzenberger

An early dinner on Saturday evening: The waited favored the scallops over the softshell as an appetizer and the advice paid off. More often than not I have been disappointed by scallop preparations, the flavor muted or lost. Three large diver scallops had wonderful flavor and terrific caramelization on top, complemented with shaved fennel. The sommelier's recommendation of St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc was a very good choice. The duck--leg confit and sliced smoked breast (medium rare)--was very good. The French fries, about which I had read much, were not much more than ok, with underlying duck flavor accents, but I would not get them again in light of other options. While $10/glass as the lowest price wine was not cheap, I found the pours quite generous and hence redeeming. My pet peeve is the parsimonious pours at too many restaurants, so thank you Blue Duck for turning the tide. The airy space was very nice, the food portions sizable, and I look forward to the next visit.

For the 4th. a wine that ended in 76 -- 1976 Mayacamas Late Harvest Zinfandel (17% alcohol.) Fears that it was some combination of over the hill, plummy, or alcoholic. A big and pleasant surprise: a healthy red not showing age, no distinct sense of alcohol, rich blackberry flavors, and much life ahead after all these years. Seemed, well, youthful. Our only bottle....