The King and the Bastard

Dinner at Shunsai in Taipei.

1998 Dom Pérignon - toasty and smoky, with ripe orange and marmalade notes.  Very nice.

2001 Ramonet Bâtard-Montrachet en magnum - very toasty, very ripe and lovely nose.  Finish was a little short, so somewhat disappointing.

2002 Colgin Herb Lamb Vineyard - Wow!  This was definitely a Cali!  Very sweet and really ripe nose, with lots of sweet fruit.  Dried herbs, caramel and toffee.  Love this wine.

1995 Rihaku Daiginjo Choki Jukuseishu 1995 (李白大吟醸 長期熟成酒1995, bottled October 1998) - I had expected a koshu (古酒) to display a nose similar to those from Chinese yellow wine like Shaoxing (紹興酒), but this wasn't like that at all.  Having been matured at low temperature, this was very rounded, smooth and elegant.  Pretty sweet on the palate.  40% seimaibuai (精米歩合).

Kikuisami Sanjurokuninshu Junmai Daiginjo (菊勇 三十六人衆 純米大吟醸) - this was recommended by the chef when we needed more alcohol.  Not bad, but I liked the Rihaku better. 40% seimaibuai.

Full post on dinner is here.