Saturday night I had some thawed oxtails with a bottle of the 1997 Behrens and Hitchcock Syrah. Zero expectations for this, as I knew it had a plastic cork and the late 90s B&H wines were dying 10 years ago. Surprise, surpris e. No oxidation, fruit is plentiful. However, sweet/surmaturite notes, som e heat, not my style. But better than I expected. B-/C+
Saturday AM I emailed a friend who had missed previous night's tasting to s ee if he and family wanted to come to dinner over next couple nights, as he just had a birthday and I had something I wanted to open for him. When I d idn't hear from him I decided to throw a party (even without Betsy) on Mond ay. Then Sunday afternoon my friend called- they were on way back from Phil ly, was invite still open? Sure, invited another family, and then scrambled for food. Merguez sausages, a soba/veg salad, "london broil", mushrooms, a nd some cauliflower/Brussels sprouts from Alex. 5 adults and 4 kids on pati on, a long and pleasant night.
2008 Juve y Camps Brut Nature Gran Reserva Cava Crisp, steely, very good. B+2012 Clos des Lunes Cooking wine for the mushrooms, but we tried as well. Rounder/fuller style of Bordeaux blanc than most inexpensive ones, good lenght, just a little so ft on acids. B .
2014 Cantalupo "Il Mimo" This used to be a favorite rose, but last few years lack acids and seem a touch sweet. Not a re-buy. B-/C+1962 Ch. Lyonnat Showed very well with a lot of air. Red and black plums, earth, leather. Go od acids, no tannins. B+/B
1981 Ch. Dassault Others liked this a lot, it still has fruit, but there's a metallic tang an d it's not very long. But it gets drunk up! And it was cheap. C+2010 Burlotto Freisa Floral, herby, fresh, brambly red fruit, some tannin. Holds up very well ov ernight. B+
Fun night, but we ate a bunch of food I'd planned on for Memorial Day, so I made a run to HMart and cheated with some premarinated bulgogi, chicken, a nd pork ribs. I also had a some more London broil, sausage, and salmon; mad e guac and a slaw, others brought salads, shrimp, fruit, and more. Many win es were served
2013 Koferhof Kerner Very aromatic, tropical edged fruit yet in a taut package. B+2014 Los Navales Verdejo Fresh, grassy, easy. B-
2001 Kerpen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese (artist Label) Good '01 acids, moderate sweetness, hint of petrol. This isn't very complex or long, but it's nice on a warm day. B 2014 Mas de Gourgonnier rose Light, fresh fruited, all strawberries and herbs. Buy again. B+/B2014 Ameztoi "Rubentis" Txakolina rosado Crunchy strawberries, mineral, citrus zest. B+/B
1964 Berteletti Ghemme Smelled good at first, seemed to die a bit in decanter, then perked up afte r hours (as I was cleaning up). Red fruit and burnt brown sugar, interestin g at end if never compelling. B- at end1986 Ch. L'Arrosee Red fruits, ferric note, some tannin. B
2009 Clos des Billards St Amour Reserve Caveau Bigger style of Beaujolais, but this is rather tight at moment. Emptied too fast to see if air let it open up. B- for tonight1995 Ch. Beychevelle Cassis, saddle leather, earth, mid-bodied and elegant. A-
1998 Ch. de Fieuzal Midbodied, red and black currents, some earth. Nice flavor profile but this needs a bit more backbone. B/B-2013 Knauss Trollinger Light colored, light bodied, but fresh red fruits and goes down quickly. B/ B+
Nice afternoon with nice people
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 p arty where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency