With the oysters I drank a relatively unknown but incredibly delicious and interesting wine, the 2004 Michel Loriot Pinot Meunier Vieilles Vignes Brut , $75. The non-vintage Extra-Brut we drank was based on wines from 2007 and 2006, but because of the ripe richness of the wine, I guessed it was based on 2008. wines from Ambonnay. MORE >>

The tannins are fine; the wine in 2009 exhibits fine tannins while the 2008 could benefit from more bottle age (or a good decant). I’d also venture that this wine would last a couple of decades and would like to buy a few bottles to tuck away for my son born in 2008. How does cabernet franc age? I’d tend to agree. MORE >>

2008 Grosset Wines Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley. 2002 Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling, Eden Valley. 2004 Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra. 2004 Mt Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz, Grampians. 2004 Penfolds RWT Shiraz, Barossa Valley. 2008 Angullong Sauvignon Blanc, Orange. MORE >>

Some of the wines tasted: Chateau Clerc-Milon: 1994, 2004, 2005, 2006. Chateau Lynch-Bages: 1996, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006 and Echo de Lynch-Bages 2008. Chateau Pontet-Canet: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006 and Les Hauts de Pontet 2005. Pauillac is a small region, only about 5,000 people, and had very humble beginnings. MORE >>

Then we drank the 2008 Domaine Gauby Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes Les Calcinaires , $27, imported by Weygandt Metzler. Then it was the 2002 Vodopivec Vitovska Venezia Giulia IGT , price unknown, imported by JK Imports. With skirt steak we drank the 2004 Els Jelipins Penedès , $72, Jenny & François Selections. Me neither. MORE >>