Betsy's quartet had a couple of performances at Mohonk Mountain House, and I went up to join her. What a beautiful place, a huge 146 year old resort i nn located near the Catskills. Great setting. While they were doing soundch eck, first violinist's husband and I grabbed a drink on the porch bar. A gl ass of the 2012 Dr. Konstantin Frank Semi-Dry Riesling was friendly, light, honied and tasty. B/B-
That night I skipped wine with buffet dinner, then went to the concert (Bor odin, Mozart, Schubert). Afterwards I returned to the room and opened the t he 2012 Baudry "Les Grezeaux" Chinon. I actually thought I was bringing the 2005, grabbed wrong bottle. Somewhat tannin, grippy, black cherry, tobacco leaf. Better on night 2, on night 3 beginning to show hint of oxidation, b ut still pretty tasty. B+/A-
When Betsy got back, she said management had invited us for a post-concert drink. I had a glass of the 2014 Buisse Sauvignon Blanc (Touraine). Light, gooseberry and catpee, a bit dilute and not very long, but cold. C+
That night we dined in the formal dining room- shrimp piccata followed by s callops on beluga lentils and a latke for me, lobster bisque with a fig com pote and halibut for her, I ordered a half-bottle of 2012 Servin Chablis - pretty classic Chablis AC- apple and citrus, chalk and seashell. B+/B
That night after an interesting concert ( a piece for quartet plus nyckelha rpa, with a narrator reading an Isak Dinesen story, with dancers!) we adjou rned to bar again, this time I tried the 2012 Schoffit Pinot Blanc. Full, s weet peach fruit and some mineral, good, could have been outstanding (for P B) if a bit more acid. B
I was pleasantly surprised by wine pricing at Mohonk. Glasses (the Riesling , PB and SB, things like Faiveley Bourgogne rouge) were $6-8 with generous pours. The Servin was $25 for 375, and if Betsy hadn't have been playing th ere were interesting well priced 750s (Remi Jobard, Vissoux Poncie, etc). F or a resort that is quite good. \ Back to home Wed. Warm but low humidity and a light breeze made for a lovel y time to meet friends at jazz concert at Estherwood. I took along the Baud ry and a rose, plus venison pate & watermelon. Betsy made chicken with a mi nt/basil sauce, quinoa salad, green bean/tomato salad. Other friends had sa usages, tapenade, lots of cheeses, and wines
2014 JP Brun Rose de Folie Fresh wild strawberries, a little hint of citrus, just good gulpable rose, quite fun. B+/B2010 A & P de Villaine Bouzeron Nice Aligote lemon fruit, tangy, full, long. B+
2010 Opolo Merlot Soft, some oak, odd vegetal meets raisin thing on nose. On palate round and fleshy with a little heat (didn't check ABV), C+YA Cuvee 23 Cava Crisp, firm, a little light, citrus and pear, Pleasant. B
2004 La Tour Grise Saumur Just a hint of appley sweetness, chalky minerals, citrus, pit fruit. Gentle mousse, nice length. 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.