Couple I forgot from Sunday night group dinner
1999 Clos du Coutale Cahors Still a bit of tannin, quiet black fruits, some smoked meat and forest floo r. Good acids , but not very long. B2013 Red Newt Dry Riesling There’s just a hint of sugar, but pretty dry (unlike a couple other “dry” FL wines that have been at least traditional kabinet t). Pretty floral nose with hint of petrol, white pit fruits on palate. A l ittle more acidity for crispness and this would be a pretty serious Rieslin g, but this is a bit soft. B/B-
Monday the quartet did a concert premiering pieces by the composer fellows of the festival, then everyone convened as more lobsters were boiled than I ’ve ever seen (40 or so for 20+ people). I helped with cracking for the inexperienced or squeamish, and managed to s ample some wines:
2013 Baileyana “Firepeak” Pinot Noir Black cherry, cocoa, a distinct candied note I don’t care for. B-/ C+’ 2014 Barraud “Alliance” Pouilly-Fuisse Fuller style of Macon but with good crispness, hint of oak, good length. B+ /B2009 Alberdi Rioja Reserva Raspberry and cherry, spicy, but a little hot. B-
Tuesday was the main Vinalhaven concert, afterwards we met downtown for din ner (Sichaun tofu was main). I had a glass of the 2015 Dominique & Janine Crochet Sancerre, showed just as it did Sunday (solid but unexceptional).
Wednesday we took ferry back to mainland, they had concert that evening in Belfast in a very cool art center (Waterfall Arts). . Reception had cheese and wine, mostly supermarket stuff and more Alberdi. I was driving Betsy to Portland afterwards but took a small sip of a Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio a nd was shocked to find it quite drinkable- sweet pear, good acids. Not very long or complex, but in the world of $12/mag supermarket wines a winner. B
-I left Portland at 3 AM to beat traffic and get to work Thursday. That nigh t I was beat, picked up a supermarket rotisserie chicken (moist but too sal ty as usual), had with arugula salad and pasta with pesto. Wine was the 201
4 Enderle and Moll “Liason” PN. Nose of flowers and cranber ry, with a little exotic touch of sandalwood. Pretty red fruits- crunchy ra spberry and cherry. Light tannin, lively acids, good stuff. A-/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.