The Christmas and New Year's Holidays was a time for drinking many fine wines. Here's what we had.

Christmas Eve - We had the Michels, Philippe and Penny, and son, Max for a casual dinner. We started off with a Champagne Gaston Chiquet Blanc de Blancs, a classically-styled Propietaire-Recoltant bottling, made entirely from white grapes. With the tranches de jambon Morvandelle, we had two fine Burgundies, a 2012 Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine Aloxe Corton Blanc, 1er Cru, Clos Berthaut and a red, the 2012 Domaine Chandon de Brialles Aloxe Corton, 1er Cru, Les Valozières. We finished off with a bottle of Champane Aubrey Brut Rosé with the fruit tart.

Christmas Day - We had an afternoon dinner of prime rib roast at the Michels, along with Sue and Howard Higgen and Gordy and Kate Venneri. Leonetti was the theme, with a magnum of 2010 Merlot, a 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, and a 1988 Seven Hills Vineyard Cabernet. The latter was showing age, but still quite drinkable. The Merlot was tasty, and a bit young. Also poured was 2005 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, which was superb.

Sealeys' Post Christmas Buffet - On December 27th, we hosted an informal dinner with a variety of exceptional wines. A Georges Vernay 2012 Condrieu was a spectacular expression of ultra precise Viognier. A 2013 Domaine Graillot Crozes-Hermitage turned out to be a fine value in Rhone Syrah, likewise, the 2012 Domaine Labastide Blanche Bandol Rouge, a fine expression of Provençal Mourvedre. Cindy Rasch brought her 2010 Golden Ridge Walla Walla Red Blend.

New Years Eve - We went to Brandon and Emma Kubrocks' for the final evening of 2015. Scott and Linda Byerley brought two striking Cayuse wines, a 2011 "Edith" Grenache Rosé and a 2011 "The Lovers," a 90% Caberfnet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah combination. Trey Busch uncorked his well concentrated 2010 Sleight of Hand "The Black Circle" Cabernet Sauvignon from the Scooteney Flats Vineyard on Red Mountain. A 2012 Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc and a 2011 Grancercy Estate Walla Walla Syrah were also impressive. I took the Champagne Aubry Brut Rosé. Aryn Morell uncorked a 1969 Chambertin Clos de Bèze, which was stll very much alive.

New Years Day - At supper, Lynn and I toasted the New Year with a bottle of Champagne Copinet "Cuvée Marie-Etinenne" Rosé. Made in the saignée method of drawing off red juice, it was strikingly deep colored and elegantly perfumed.

Have a great and prosperous 2016!