Dinner with Friends

had dinner with 2 other Master Sommeliers last evening and was a lot of fun. Started off with a Campari, Soda, and White Wine (the wine brings a hint of sweetness to the otherwise bitter drink). Had the 1985 Charles Heidseick "Champagne Charlie" and wow was this a good bottle. Nice and rich with hazelnuts, roasted almonds, peach, Granny Smith Apples and hints of brioche. Nice. Moved on to the 2004 Domaine Weinbach Tokay Pinot Gris Altenbourg Cuvee Laurence. High RS in this one (thinking 25-30 gl/rs) with super-ripe apricots, orange blossom, and honeysuckle. Very floral and nice and rich. Needs about 15 years. The 1989 Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage "La Chapelle" took a while to open, but when it finally did, wow! Very meaty, leathery and dusty with raspberries and clove. Not as good as the bottle I had last summer, but still very nice. For dessert, Banyuls.