Hosted by Henry and Alexia Moore
with Marjorie Martin, Bob Gorman, Paul Obester and Gerald

Alexia, the chef de cuisine, got things off to a booming start with a bottle of
Billecart-Salmon Ros Champagne...

...accompanied by some nice nibbles...

Bob Gorman and company toast Sandy.

Then Alexia flexed her mussels and we sat down to a large bowl of Rhode Island
Mussels.

Alexia adds the finishing touches...a bit of chopped cilantro.

We enjoyed the Huia 2003 Sauvignon Blanc along with Lawson's Dry Hills
Sauvignon.

Everybody was very busy digging the mussels out of the shells, including
Marjorie.

I opened and decanted two 1978 Bordeaux:
Chteau Prieur-Lichine Margaux
and
Chteau Haut Bages Liberal.

Henry, meanwhile, was busy whacking and hacking in the kitchen. He had
roasted and smoked a couple of ducks.

Paul was not one to duck providing some assistance, so he helped prepare the
plates.

Voil!
Duck accompanied by Brussels Sprouts and A Wild Rice Medley.
The Haut Bages was quite a good example, still being vibrant and a bit
leathery. The Prieur was also smooth, mildly earthy and perfect
partnered with the duck.
Afterwards Alexia offered a cheese course and these were accompanied by a couple
of 1988 Burgundies:

Alain Burguet's Vieilles Vignes Gevrey-Chambertin
and
Faiveley Mercurey "Clos du Roy."
Both wines, thanks to perfect storage conditions, were magnificent and youthful!
Dessert featured Alexia's Apple Galette and a 1995 Graham's "Malvedos"
Port.


Graham's Port and Alexia's Apple Galette.

Marjorie enjoyed the evening's festivities.

And so did Sandy, opening the birthday gifts!
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