Betsy is in Maine for festivals for a while longer, so Saturday I convened a meeting of the Rivertowns Folks Whose Spouses are Out of Town (plus one a ctual couple and one extra dog). Nice night on the patio. As folks drifted in we enjoyed Al’s roasted pepper salsa, and a couple of cold bever ages
NV Jose Dhondt “Mes Vieilles Vignes” Grand Cru Blanc de Bla nc Champagne Nice showing. Bright, full, Granny smith and pear with fresh baked croissan t aromas, long finish with chalk and minerals. Fine mousse. A-/B+
2016 Chermette/Vissoux “Griottes” Beaujolais Rose Floral, Rainier cherry and a little lime zest, light and easy. BFirst sitdown course was scallop ceviche with pea pesto
2013 Ch Beauregard Pouilly Fuisse Fat, low-acid, melony, not very long. B-/C+2014 Pommier “Fourchaume” Chablis 1er Citrus and chalk, lemon topped with mineral, very good. B+
Then mixed grill (skirt steak, chorizo, sweet Italian sausage, bratwurst fr om our butcher), charred leeks with caper/lemon sauce, squash with za? ?atar, salad. That was followed by some cheeses Alex had brought (Muenste r, aged gouda, goat) , plus Nancy’s berries, cookies, and ice cream .
2002 Jadot “Clos des Ursules” Beaune 1er Cru Pretty tight at first, opened nicely through the evening. Black cherry with some sandalwood, mushroom notes. Could use a bit more time but this is hea ding to a nice place. B+2015 Jane & Sylvain Bourgogne Slightly lifted nose, raspberry and cherry fruit, hint of beets. Good acids , midbodied, good value. B
2013 Anne Gros and JP Tollot”les Fontanilles” Minervois Bought this curious about a Burgundian take on the Languedoc. No apparent o ak, but this is riper than I expect, cassis and blackberry, 13.5% but taste s hotter. B-/C+Sunday was mackerel in a wine/mustard sauce, plus sauteed cherry tomatoes w ith arugula
2015 Van Volxem Alte Reben Riesling Citrus and nectarine, bright acids, mineral. In a nice place already. B+/A-2015 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier Sec-tendre, peach and canteloupe, moderate acids, good value at under $9. B /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 p arty where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.