No seder invites this year, so Betsy made lamb chops, matzoh ball soup, and asparagus vinaigrette for the second night. A bottle and a half of Bordeau x were opened
2005 Ch. Ferrand Lartique (St Emilion) 375 ml Oaky and unctuous, kirsch syrup, yet a bit hollow, not my style at all. Hal f bottle not finished over 2 nights C/C+2007 Ch. Plince (Pomerol) Plum and berries, easy tannins, pleasant enough. B/B-
A long Wednesday meant limited cooking energy, but I grilled Korean marinat ed chicken (not a recipe, Betsy actually got the pre-marinated chicken at H Mart) while she made brown rice and long beans in a hoisin sauce. Wine was the 2012 Costes Bergerac rose -light, fresh strawberry, appealing. B
Thursday was posole (the corn from Rancho Gordo, totally delicious) with 20
11 Ventura Do Burato Ribeira Sacra. Fun and juicy, no apparent oak, crisp m inerally finish. Fine value. B+/BLast night David brought a chef friend from Mast Brothers home for dinner, and we invited some other friends to join us. Betsy made chips and tomatill o-guacamole, and we greeted folks with a white and a bubbly
NV Thierry Germain "Bulles de Roche" Saumur Brut Green apple, wool, citrus. Quite tandy acids, crisp and long. B+
2012 Huet "Clos du Bourg" Vouvray Sec Continues to be my favorite of the three Huets in this controversial vintag e, maybe not a classic but a very tasty bottle for a difficult vintage. Goo d acids, hint of sugar, lemon and lanolin. B+Main course was a chicken fricassee with shallots and tomato, accompanied b y miso-creamed kale and a brown rice/lentil combo. We sampled some Burgundi es:
2011 Maison Ilan "Robardelles" Volnay 1er Cru Pretty tight at first, opens gradually through the night, red cherries, nic e balance of fruit, tannin, and acid, pretty more than powerful. Needs time . B+2001 Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Probably the table fave, and mine too. Medium to full bodied, sappy, black cherry fruit with spice and earth. Very good length, drinking very well. A- /B+
1993 Darviot-Perrin"La Gigotte" Volnay 1er Cru Medium bodied, red fruit and a little herb, tangy, drinking well. BLucas and David had brought some bon bons (whiskey and strawberry ganache) which sent the dessert-y people into fits of ecstasy. . We also had fruit a nd a half bottle of the 2002 Schoffit "Rangen Clos St. Theobald" Tokay Pino t Gris Vendange Tardive. Super-ripe peaches, decent acids, good finish, som e others truly love. B/B-
Fun night.
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 pa rty where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivit y, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.