Friday David drove over from Berkeley and we went with him and his girlfrie nd to a Japanese restaurant in Sacramento. I had some nigiri and tonkatsu, with the former I had a glass of (vintage unknown) Murphy-Goode Sauvignon B lanc. A bit dilute, but clean and innocuous, served it's purpose. B-/C+
Saturday we flew back via LAX. Landed at JFK on time, but over 2 hours on t armac. Then 1.5 hours till luggage came out (but not ours- still waiting, i t's been to Newark and Atlanta since!). Wee hours drive home in the snow, c ould have used a drink but too late/tired. Sunday night roast chicken, roas t veggies, and quinoa. Wine was the 2011 Lafouge "les Duresses"- Auxey-Dure sses. Fresh, black cherry and raspberry, smoke. Well-balanced, could use ti me but tasty now. B+
Monday headed up to Pound Ridge for a Gouges tasting. Dan had a nice spread of munchies, and someone brought a bottle of MV Krug that he estimated he' d cellared for 5 years or so (it predated lot codes). Broad, yeasty, in a g ood place, most loved but I'm not as much a Krug lover as others, for me a B/B+
To table for the Gouges and a few others:
2010 Gouges "Chenes Carteaux" Nuits St. Georges I've never heard of this vineyard before. Cherry, herby (Dan says stemmy), a coffee/mocha note. Very young, B+2005 Gouges Nuits St. Georges This was very tight when I double-decanted at home. By service fruit was ou t there, earthy, deep, even the village wine needs quite a bit more time. B
+2006 Gouges Nuits St. Georges On the other hand, this seemed more open at decanting, but had gone into a shell by service. Coaxed it back out, quite ripe, quite tannic, more black fruited. B
2006 Gouges "Clos Des Porrets" Nuits St. Georges I had thought this slightly bretty when decanted, but maybe just a bit redu ced, didn't get that on service. Pomegranate, cocoa, blanck cherries. Full, long, structured with nice interplay between the acids and tannins. B+2004 Gouges "Clos Des Porrets" Nuits St. Georges I thought I got some piney "greenie meanies" on initial pour, but seemed to blow off- it was just on initial nose, never on palate.Red fruits, a bit s harp. B/B-
2010 Gouges "Vaucrains" Nuits St. Georges Group preferred LSG, I was lone holdout for Vaucrains. Black fruits, light animal notes, sweet fruit but balanced by supple tannins and bright acids. Gets floral and comple, very complete wine with long future. As good a youn g Burg as I've had in a coon's age. A-/A2010 Gouges "Les St. Georges" Nuits St. Georges JUst 'cause I preferred the Vaucrains didn't mean I didn't love this! Exoti c nose of sandalwood, smoke and spice, black cherry and coffee on palate. B right, long, complex. A-
2007 Gouges "Vaucrains" Nuits St. Georges Red fruits, herb, mushroom/earth. Seems slightly less precise than other yo ung wines, a bit muted, some say muddled because sediment shaken. I still l iked. B/B+A break while Dan dished up a beef daube, orzo/mushroom/cheese casserole, a nd green beans.
2000 Gouges "Les St. Georges" Nuits St. Georges Shockingly young for a 2000. Lovely, full, fresh acids, good length. Beauti ful with both elegance and strength. A-1999 Meo-Camuzet "Murgers" Nuits St. Georges Corked!
1993 Gouges "Clos Des Porrets" Nuits St. Georges Cork was slightly depressed, but no signs of seepage. Red fruits, acids, fl owers., But there's just a hint of pruniness that makes me wonder if it's s een warmth (I had another better bottle a few years ago, unsure if same sou rce). B-/C+1993 Gouges "Les Pruliers" Nuits St. Georges Tight at first, opens nicely, red fruit and flowers. B+
1983 Gouges " Les Chaignots" Nuits St. Georges Smoke, mushrooms, tangy acids, cranberry anf cherry fruit, I liked more tha n many. B+/A-Overall a really nice showing. As it's Dan's house, no way we escape without some blind wines
First pair we flailed on, though Scott said "these could be Spanish" quite early (but proceeded along a different path). Once Rioja established Sasha got wines and vintages quickly.
1970 CVNE "Vina Real" Rioja Gran Reserva Tangy, full, red fruit, flowers. B+1970 Lopez de Heredia "Tondonia" Rioja Gran Reserva Red fruit, animal/barnyard, citrus zest, nice length, lovely, A-
One more wine. I redeemed myself by getting Graves quickly, but blew it wit h a guess of ripe vintage older Pape-Clement.
1971 La Mission Haut Brion (magnum) Tobacco, cigarbox, black fruit, more tobacco. Elegant, with lots to give. A -Fun night, fun 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.