Rhone rocks

I can't believe it's taken till the end of May for the MNSC boys to get our act together to have our first tasting of the year.  The Ox stepped up and hosted us at the Grill Room at the Hong Kong Country Club.

We started with a charcuterie platter with go with our Champagne.  Very nice.

The amuse bouche was marinated cucumber slices with feta cheese and tiny diced cubes of chorizo.

Red prawn carpaccio and Ibérico ham, mâche leaves, green apple, micro celery - the carpaccio was very wet, with a funny texture that reminded me of soft meringue or foam.

Lobster Newburg with angel hair pasta - couldn't taste any spice in the lobster but the sauce was nice and tasty.

Grilled lobster and beef medallion, vegetable medley, new potatoes, Béarnaise - OK la...

Baked thin apple tart, salted caramel, Madagascar vanilla bean ice cream - pretty decent.

But this gathering wasn't about the food.  Once again we were totally schooled by The Ox... and nearly 20 years after we starting drinking together as a group, our blind tasting abilities haven't gotten much better...

Jacques Selosse Brut Initial, dégorgée le 26 Mars 2013 - surprisingly kinda pungent at first, with savory minerals on the nose.

First flight: decanted for 2 hours prior to serving.

1988 Henri Bonneau Réserve des Célestins - still sweet, fruity, almost a hint of floral notes, toasty.  Second pour showed more animal, not as clean and elegant.  94 points.

1995 Henri Bonneau Réserve des Célestins - unfortunately bouchonée...

1998 Henri Bonneau Réserve des Célestins - sweet nose of strawberries, minty, leather, and almost some bacon fat.  Really lovely and beautiful.  96 points.

Second flight: opened 2½ hours prior and decanted 30 minutes prior to serving.

1977 Musar Rouge - really grassy, very dirty on the nose, a little savory.  Acidity was there.  93 points.

1990 Musar Rouge - Very clean nose, a little savory.  Light on the body with some acidity now.  92 points.

Third flight: decanted 3 hours prior to serving.

1994 Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin - a little closed and a bit tight at first, almost a hint of sugar cane.  96 points.

1995 Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin - almost a little cough syrup, a little sharper alcohol, with smoke, pencil, and leather notes.  95 points.

1999 Beaucastel Hommage a Jacques Perrin - smoky, a little savory, and still a little grippy on the palate.  94 points.

Many thanks to The Ox for the treat!