FINEST OF THE VINOUS

For that small handful of my Esteemed Readers who actually give a crap about what wines Houston Steve and I enjoyed along with our guests at the recent Third Annual Aubrey-Maturin Dinner, here’s a list:

• Sichel Sauternes 2002
  
  
• Château Saint-Michel Sauternes 2000
  
  
  
  Both Sauternes were exquisite when paired with the Strasburg Pie.
  
  
• Emilio Lustau Old Oloroso sherry
  
  
• Maison Bouachon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2005
  
  
• Marqués de Riscal Rioja 2003
  
  Remember that Dr. Stephen Maturin hailed from Catalonia.
  
  
• Château Pavillon Rouge Margaux 2000
  
  An excellent bottle in the early prime of its life. The “junior edition” of the famous first-growth Château Margaux, a “supple, delicious, flavorful effort.”
  
  
• Château Lascombes Margaux 1974
  
  
  
  A wine made from grapes that were hanging on the vine when I was graduated from college.
  
  
• Château Gloria Saint Julien 1976, 1978
  
  A fine cru bourgeois. Current price range is about $55-100 per bottle.
  
  
• Joseph Drouhin Chorey-les-Beaune 2006
  
  
• Twin Valley Estate Tawny Port
  
  From Australia, one of the many places Captain Jack and his particular friend Dr. Maturin visited in the course of their travels.
  
  
• Dow Late-Bottled Vintage Port 2003

Not a loser in the bunch... and enough to wash down the enormous piles of Roast Beef, Roast Goose, Veg, and various Puddings that sate upon the groaning board.

Urp.