Sunday was a lovely cool day, and we had invited a motley crew for a party. Betsy made fried chicken, tomatillo guacamole, and a watermelon/feta salad. I was in charge of grilling some porterhouses, sausages, franks, teriyaki salmon, peppers and squash. Friends brought a wide assortment of salads, appetizers, cheeses, desserts, and more meat for the fire.
Lots of wines tasted over the afternoon and evening:
Fizzy
Parigot & Richard Cremant de Bourgogne rose
I can't say I'm normally a big cremant dB fan, but this is a fairly interesting little wine, raspberry and cranberry notes, some yeast, light bubbles. Rather coarse mousse, and finish isn't too long, but a fun sip. B
Spago Nero Riondo Prosecco (Veneto)
Not clear if Spago Nero or Riondo is the producer. Frizzante, very light, a bit of sweetness, not complex but would be great on a really hot day. B-
White
2007 Vigneti Pittaro Pinot Grigio (Friuli)
Light melon notes, a bit of floral muskiness, fairly short/clipped finish. B-/C+
2008 Benaza Godello (Monterrei)
Limes, saline minerality, good zippy acids, nice length. B+
2005 Matrot "Les Combettes" Puligny-Montrachet 1er
Thanks John for this. Really lovely, though this needs time (but does one chance it in the era of PremOx?). Despite the tightness, I really enjoyed this. Chalk meets flint minerality, lemony acids, crisp pear fruit accented by earth and smoke. I think of Matrot as my "go to" Meursault producer, but this Puligny is great. A-/A
2007 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Kabinett
Super Riesling, racy acids, green apple, peaches, slate. A-
Pink
2008 Croix de Basson (Cotes de Provence)
(Ecocert sticker). Pale, red fruits, moderate acids, pleasant bu not a lot here. B-
2008 Edmunds St John Bone Jolly Gamay rose
Sweet cherries, watermelon, strawberry. Nice balance of fruit and acidity. another ESJ winner. B++
Red
2006 Gouges Bourgogne
Surprisingly open for a Gouges, but unsurprisingly tannic for a Bourgogne. Earthy, good dark fruit, could use some time. B+/B
2006 Calandray Cotes du Roussillon Reserve
Very ripe, a bit hot. Too heavy for an al fresco wine even on a lovely cool day. C+
1970 St Pierre (St Julien)
I decanted this in cellar and served blind to those into wine. Some guesses of Burgundy or Sangiovese, and I can see why. Lots of black cherries, fairly high acids, resolved tannins. A touch of a pruney note, fully mature but not past it. This was part of a mixed lot we paid very little for, quite happy with it. B+/B
2007 Cline Zinfandel
Wild berries, medium bodied, a little hint of vanilla. B-
2007 Ch. d'Oupia Minervois
Classy for price, some ripe tannins, good dark fruit. B
2007 Gonon "Les Iles Feray" (Vin de Pays de l'Ardeche).
Pepper, smoke, and spice over a solid body of Syrah fruit, QPR winner. B+
2007 Clos Roche Blanche "L'Arpent Rouge" Touraine
Showing a bit more piney/resinous than I remember, raspberry and cranberry fruit, herby. B/B-
2005 Ch. Les Trois Croix (Fronsac)
Quite modern, mocha notes over black plums and cassis, lush texture. B
Fun day that stretched into night with a nice group. My favorite moment was when 10 year old Seiji, who was helping watch the hound, came over and said "Can Lucy have a hot dog?" I considered, said "ok, just one." Seiji replied "Good, because she just ate one."
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.