Hurricane Arthur didn’t do any damage in NY, but it sure made for a grey and dreary 4th-at least during day. But we got less rain than forecast, and it began to clear about 5. A bit later the sun came out, and suddenly we had a beautiful clear evening. Our village is restoring waterfront park so no local fireworks this year, but we went to our normal location, friends whose house overlooks river, and had a great party. We watched the fireworks on the other side of river (Nyack)- pretty if distant, and a lot easier on the ears. We carried along a broccoli/kale slaw with poached chicken; there was also burgers, bbq chicken, lentils, salads, and more.
I carried leftover 1971 Sterling PN for host to taste, he got PN, but was off by about 3 decades. Amazingly it had more fruit on day 2, with only a hint of oxidation.
2012 Turley “Juvenile” Zinfandel
Figured I should bring an American wine. “Only” 15.5% (restrained for Turley), ripe, jammy, just not my style though not as bad as some, some others loved it. B-/C+
2012 Louis Metaireau Muscadet
Soft for Melon dB, but nice saline edge, citrus fruit, B
There was also a mag of Chardonnay that I’ve managed to block out of my mind.
Saturday I grilled squash and herbed lamb rib chops, Betsy made broccoli and we had leftover pasta salad. I asked her “left or right?”, she chose left, and I decanted the 1983 Gruaud Larose. A little hint of browning on rim, but overall comes across as fairly fresh. Deep sweet cassis fruit that broadens over the evening, with tobacco and smoked meat overtones. I’ve had pretty bretty bottles of this before, but this is fairly clean in terms of 80s Cordier- just a tiny hint of barnhyard/funk. A bit of tannin remaining, good acids, good finish. B+/A-
This morning was my turn to volunteer at our CSA, lots of fun, part of the bounty was some beautiful squash blossoms. Betsy stuffed with ricotta and herbs and then baked; I grilled some wild sockeye. Wine was the 2013 Ch. Pradeaux rose (Cotes de Provence), Pale, fruity, strawberries and cherry, floral. I actually like this as much as their Bandol rose -lighter for sure, yet with good flavors and balance. B
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. 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.