A friend wanted to take a little sailing cruise for her birthday, so I head ed down to Battery Park for a sunset cruise in NY harbor. Quite fun- my fir st time on a tall ship. Incredible sunset just as we were passing Liberty I sland, cool breezes, and stunning views as sun went down and Manhattan lit up. What could be better? Well, the wine. Originally we were supposed to sa il previous night on a smaller boat that allowed BYO picnic and wine. But t his boat had a bar and didn't allow outside alcohol. I knew it would be gri m. Jim told me the bartender said they had "every kind of wine." Uh huh. So after I did my part hauling sails up I went to bar (mostly serving "adult hot chocolate" and asked what white wines they had. "Every kind" bartender brightly replied. Ok, Muscadet? "What's that?" I cut loses and ask for Sauv ignon Blanc. The 2012 Seaglass Sauvignon Blanc isn't that bad, though it's soft and there's not much varietal character. Melon, apple, very soft acids , maybe a little grass would give clue it's SB. Could be worse. B-/C+. But my picnic was duck salad and lentils, so I girded myself and order a PN . I've blocked the name out of my mind, Something Canyon I think. Forgettab le is the best thing I can say about it- sweet, short, empty, with a little medicinal edge. I managed to choke down about half a (plastic) glass befor e dumping overboard. C/C- Birthday girl and husband were driving, and gave me a ride back to Westches ter, and came in to see their favorite basset hound. I opened the 2011 Foss e-Seche "Arcane" Saumur. Riper style of Chenin, apples and wool. Good. B
Saturday I went over to sister-in-laws for a nice gathering. Guacamole, fis h tacos (with cabbage, peppers, chipotle mayo, 3 choices of salsa), corn wi th chili mayo, beans, rice, more. Some drank beer, some drank wine.
1999 Ch. Prieure Lichine Ripe, soft, good Margaux-berry floral nose but this needs more structure. B -NV Brulees "Alterite" Fun wine, frothy, off dry, fresh berries, easy with the food. B+
2010 Clayhouse "Adobe" I'm guessing this is a Zin blend. Red berries, a little jammy, some sweetne ss, not very long. C+/B-Sunday I got Betsy at LGA and then she made the lemon sole while I made sal ad, grilled corn, and warmed lentils. The 2009 Deux Montille Bourgogne bla nc was a clean, ripe version of Chardonnay, pear fruit accented with lemon zest,just a hint of vanillin oak. 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.