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WTN: Wines with the (non-prodigal) son

PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 4:07 pm
by Dale Williams
A couple of nights of leftover pork, with slightly different preps to break up monotony. With burritos and crema/salsa, I went pink- A bottle of Guion rose was corked, but the 2012 Arnot Roberts Touriga Nacional rose was not. Cherry blossoms, red fruit, a mineral backbone. B+/B

Back to bo ssam, with the 2011 Foillard “Cote de Py” Morgon. Nicely balanced, fresh red fruits with light smooth tannins, fresh acids,soil notes, good length. B+

Lemon sole en papillote with ginger/scallion/arugula and the 2008 F. Cotat Le Culs de Beaujeau Sancerre. Takes a while to open up, but does so nicely, with vivid acidity under full ripe fruit. Apples and peach, ginger and flint, long and complex. A-

A recent gift of the 2000 Rocher Corbin (Montagne-St. Emilion) still was hanging on to a bit of plummy fruit, but no structure left, a bit formless on the palate. With a bit of time some ashtray notes, send this to the vinegar crock. C+

Despite the Indian summer, I made spaghetti with Italian sausage in tomato sauce, with the 2012 Arianna Occhipinti SP68. Fresh berries, herby, with very good length for a rather lighter styled wine. Quite enjoyable, and holds well over 2 days. B+

Saturday I went to pick up Dave and Mary Kate at JFK, by time I was back just had some gyosa, okra, and leftover wine. Sunday Betsy’s sister and her family came over for a family dinner to welcome Dave back, we started with smoked duck breast canapes, crudite, and caprese, main course was miso-glazed salmon with a Chinese broccoli/sprout/rice noodle dish.

2004 Nicolas Feuillatte Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Lime and Granny smith fruit, not very bready, good crispness, a tad sweet on finish. B

2011 Schafer-Frohlich Bockenaur Riesling Kabinett
Full for kab, this seems to have closed up a bit, but still good fruit, slatey minerals, good acids pulsing underneath. B+/B

2009 Drouhin Morgon
This was rather muted at first, some fruit opened up, but this remained someone stiff and ungiving. Closed? Maybe, but for now C+

1988 Ch. Canon
As a belated birthday celebration for David. Not what I really expected for an ‘88, no apparent tannin, more elegant than burly, fully mature, black and red currant fruit with leather and cigarbox. Ready, willing, able. B+

We also sampled some leftover dessert wine that had been opened (but I forgot to post on) Sunday, the NV Annapolis “White Wedding” wine, a blend from Nova Scotia (brought back by friends who just bought a house there). 65% Reliant (new one for me), rest PG and NY Muscat (?). Peaches/canned peaches, medium sweet, allspice. Interesting flavor profile, could use a bit more zip. B-/C+

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.

Re: WTN: Wines with the (non-prodigal) son

PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 4:45 pm
by Howie Hart
Regarding the blend from Nova Scotia, I could not find a reference to "Reliant", but "Reliance" is listed as a labrusca, cold hardy, seedless, tasty table grape. I've never heard of wine made from it either, however, I'm making something similar this year from a green, seedless table grape called "Lakemont". I made some of this several years ago and it was not distinctive - similar to Seyval Blanc, but my kids liked it. I added about 10% each of Vignoles and Cayuga to it, that came from my back yard. It's fermenting now.

Re: WTN: Wines with the (non-prodigal) son

PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:22 pm
by David M. Bueker
I've seen the Drouhin Beaujolais, but do not recall ever tasting one. Any style markers when they are showing well?

Re: WTN: Wines with the (non-prodigal) son

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 2:51 pm
by Dale Williams
Howie, Probably just a misprint, probably is Reliance. Have you heard of New York Muscat as a separate variety than Muscat? It does say 3 Nova Scotia varieties, no not importing grapes. Sure your dessert wine will be interesting

David, to me the Drouhin CB's are a bit like the PNs= aiming for midbodied and elegant, with no apparent wood. I thought this wine was delicious in a sappy way when I had at release, think likely an awkward stage.

Re: WTN: Wines with the (non-prodigal) son

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:57 pm
by Howie Hart
NY Muscat is also a labrusca hybrid, black, seeded grape, listed as a table grape, but I have heard of wine being made from it. It was released by Cornell in 1961 and is a cross of Hamburg Muscat (vinefera) x Ontario (labrusca). Apparently it is quite popular as a wine grape in Nova Scotia. http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Nova-Scotia.html