Some friends and their pup came over for dinner last night. Nancy brought a first course of squash and chevre in puff pastry, and Ron a bottle of the NV Gruet Brut Rose. Fresh red (strawberry/raspberry) fruit, just a hint of breadiness. Pretty simple, but at $10 I think he got a good deal. B-
Betsy had made the Zuni cafe chicken with bread salad and roasted vegetables. We tried:
2007 Donabaum "Spitzer Point" Gruner Veltliner Smaragd I've liked this much more before, somehow tonight it seems heavy and dull (even though there a little hint of spritz on opening). Thick, sweet peas and sweet apple, just not much going on here. Screwcapped, but I don't think it's reduction. It does have a long finish. C+/B-
2003 Marojallia (Margaux) What one might expect from garagiste Margaux- glossy, smooth, but not especially evocative of Margaux. Cassis fruit, mocha coffee, a little lead pencil note to suggest maybe it's not CalCab after all. Big, but easy tannins. Very popular with table, but not something I'd buy after tasting. B-
2005 Havens "Hudson Vineyard" Syrah (Carneros) Dark berry fruit, smoke and a little whiff of barnyard. Midbodied, a spicy edge, not very long. Enough tannin to go a bit further. B/B-
I thought food and friendship was better than wine, but a good time was had by all
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.