Craig was hosting SOBER last night, but due to space constrains, John generously offered up his home. We arrived to find Craig working hard on dinner, but there was a bottle of the 1999 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Spatlese going around. Solid apple fruit, slight hint of petrol, slate, maybe a bit soft, but nice finish and pleasing wine. B+
There was also a bottle of the NV Bernard Bremont Champagne Brut. I've had a lot of these recently, but this is from an older batch. Age (or vintage differences) make this broader and creamier than others I'd had, but equally tasty. B+
Craig had put out a nice spread of American cheeses from Lucy's Whey, plus proscuitto, lardo, and pates.
First red flight (all wines blind from here out) Craig brought out 2 Manischewitz bottles in honor of Passover, Mark recoiled, but luckily he was just using as decanters:
"Manischewitz Cherry" Nice, full dark cherry fruit, still some tannin, good acids, and a bit of oak. Someone says Cali Cab but Craig eventually says neither. Once we are in Burgundy Mark (who helped source) says that it is best wine this producer ever made, and that makes it fairly easy to get 1993 Damoy Chambertin Clos de Beze. A-/B+
"Manischewitz Blackbherry" This has herbal tones that stick out a bit, softer (I'm very surprised when vintage revealed), somewhat short and advanced. Some question as to whether this was a correct bottle of 1993 Jadot Chambertin Clos de Beze. B
White flight (with a lovely mushroom soup)
#1- when flight of three is poured, this is by far lightest and with freshest nose. Beautiful clean Chardonnay fruit, I'm thinking Raveneau. Crisp, someone gets it as Cali Chard and once Montelena is eliminated John gets Grgich. It's the first vintage, and an amazing example of the 1977 Grgich Chardonnay. A-
#2- Really oxidized nose, all stewed apple and sherry, a bit better on palate. Craig has a backup, but it's the color of strong tea on decanting so we don't bother. This is interesting but not tasty. Still, worthwhile trying a Montrachet from an iffy/forward vintage that has seen better days. 1987 Marquis de Laguiche (Drouhin) Montrachet.C/C+
#3 Also oxidized, though less so, but what is underneath is less interesting. Sweet/oversweet, very short/clipped finish. 1994 Verget Montrachet. C
#2A - after 2 bottles of the Laguiche, Craig very generously opens another replacement. This is more like it! Beautiful bottle of mature but not fading white Burg (to me, a couple people felt it good but not stellar). Apples, butterscotch, lemon oil, chalky minerals, I didn't get any mint so never thought of Ramonet. 1992 Ramonet "Ruchottes" Chassagne-Montrachet 1er. A-
Second Red Flight #1 Soft acidity, tar, ripe fruit, I'm thinking mature Nebbiolo from a hot vintage. Lots of guesses, but no one gets (actually, few had heard of) the 1966 McWilliams "Robert Hermitage" B
#2- At first I thought bretty but just drinkable, but shortly it was overwhelmed by metallic and oxidized notes, not a pleasant wine.
1969 Freemark Abbey Petite Sirah. C-Third Red Flight #1 - mature but with oak still sticking out a little, slightly green (dill?) note, cassis and black cherry, once it was clear not CalCab others got the 1970 Torres "Black Label" Gran Coronas. A-/B+
#2 - I thought this was a nice claret, slightly lifted note, tobacco, gravel, fully mature. No one got the 1976 Tyrells' Hunter Valley Pinot Noir. B+/B
Some out of this world bacon cheeseburgers with caramelized onions were quickly devoured.
Fourth Red Flight #1- dark deep fruit, spice, tobacco, leather. Very deep and very long, I'm thinking a great Bordeaux but it's the 1967 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon. Great bottle, my WOTN. A-/A
#2 - a bit lifted, some light ashtray notes, decent finish. I think others liked more than I did. 1968 CVNE Vina Real (sorry, neglected to note if Reserva or GR). B-
There was also a bottle of the 1963 Cockburns, I was packing up to go, made no notes and didn't give it the attention it deserved, but it seemed like a lovely port.
An absolutely stellar job by Craig. Great food, and a selection of wine that was both delicious and a learning experience. Thanks to John and Marie France (and Coco) for their hospitality, too.
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 party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.