TN: 3L of LMHB, Mexican wine, Drouhin, Beychevelle

Thursday Betsy made a roasted fish stew with tomato and basil from a recipe in the SF Chronicle her mom had sent. She used a cup of white wine, and we had rest with dinner. It was the $8.xx 2006 Drouhin Laforet Bourgogne Blanc, a good if unexceptional value. Clean white pear fruit, a hint of hazelnut, clean finish. There's just a hint of oak, this isn't long but it is straightforward, B/B-

Friday we went to Mark and Nancy's for a dinner party. As we arrived, we got Champagne to go with excellent poached shrimp and smoked salmon. The bubbly was the NV Pommery Brut, a nice lighter Champagne with fresh apple fruit, some lighter brioche notes, and a fine mousse. Great apertif. B+

Other than Mark I was only winegeek present, he called me over to blind taste a red. Very ripe, sweet, with dark berry fruit. I almost said Shiraz, but went with Grenache. Asked to name a region, I thought California. OK, a double miss. The wine was from Mexico, with a blend of Merlot, CS, and zinfandel. Pretty sure it was called Colina Bai, but didn't note vintage. Asked my opinion, I said I thought it ok as a stand-alone, but didn't think I would like it with meal. Others would like more, but not my style. That's when I found out the couple I had just met were investors in the winery, but luckily they just were interested in honest opinions. B-

We sat down to a platter of cured meats and some mozzarella with tomatoes, then main course of Flannery roast beef with mashed potatoes, yorkshire pudding, and spinach. Mark had opened the 1974 La Mission Haut Brion- from a double magnum! I confess to wondering re the vintage, but a couple sniffs dispelled most doubts. Lots of tobacco on the nose, the fruit is still quite fetching, all black plums and cassis. I thought this got better and better through the night (I had a bunch-Betsy was driving) with earth, iron, leather and cedar notes at various times. This isn't a big or concentrated wine, and it might get lost in the shuffle at a big offline, but it does its job- to accompany a fine meal- very very well. A-

There was still some LMHB as we headed to a big cheese plate (Explorateur, St Marcellin, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Gruyere), but Mark also opened the 1975 Beychevelle (St Julien). This has a fresh note from the rather high acidity, bright redder fruit with some damp earth and cigarbox. Quite tasty, but it does still have a little tannin that is a tad distracting, and I don't like as much as the La Mish. B+/B

Lovely night with fun people! Who knew '74 could be so good.

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

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DaleW
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