We had some friends (and one pup) over for dinner Sunday evening. Started w ith pate forestier, coppa, chicken liver pate, smoked salmon
2010 Yann Alexander Blanc de Blancs Champagne. Bright acids, lighter body, lemon and Granny smith. BFred brought delicious gazpacho, I opened the 2005 Lopez de Heredia ? ?Gravonia ” Rioja Blanco. Slightly sherried/nutty nose, but quite fresh on palate. Bright acids, citrus and wax, tangy. B+
Next I served a scallop crudo, with a blind wine in decanter. Took a while. 1986 Ponsot “Clos des Monts Luisants” Morey St. Denis Viei lles Vignes . Mostly Aligote with a little Chardonnay and Pinot Gouges. I w as a little worried as color was a deep gold, but unlike one previous bottl e it didn’t darken further. Lactic note on nose, but on palate pret ty clean- pear, peach, and vanilla. Good length. B+
Middle Eastern herbed chicken,
2012 COS Frappato Floral, berry, nicely dusty. B+/B1989 Couly-Dutheil "Clos de l'Olive" Chinon Hard to believe this is an ‘89. Tough, herby, ungenerous. Gets bett er with air, but never approaching charming. C+/B-
1994 Tete (Clos du Fief) “Cuvee Prestige” Julienas I know little about pre1999 Beaujolais vintages, no expectations for a ? ??94. This was a nice surprise. Red and black cherries, mocha, earth. F resh fruit but with overtones of dirt & leaves. Very good. B++Then salad with mushrooms, local cheeses, peaches
2005 Foreau (Clos Naudin) Vouvray Demi-Sec Really a nice showing, midweight and midsweet, apple skin with plenty of wo oly waxy Chenin-esque tones, good stony finish. Bright and lively. A-/B+Fun night with a good crowd.
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.