I hosted a great group of wine friends Saturday afternoon into evening. The Champagne part of the festivities were accompanied by cheeses, charcuterie, trout mousse on pumpernickel toast, Torres potato chips (thanks Craig!) and Popeyes chicken (thanks Sasha). NV Corbon ?Blanc de Blancs? This is apparently all 2011, but she decided not to release as a vintage. Crisp, green apple and citrus, a hint of brioche, racy and minerally. A-/B+
NV Mouzon-Leroux ?L?Ascendant? Solera Brut Nature Rich hazelnutty notes, peach, a little severe and needs time to unwind. B+
2015 Georges Laval ?Les Chenes? Champagne Brut Nature Despite lack of dosage, the ripe fruit makes this quite approachable, quite crisp, snappy, long. A-It was about here that a shout went up as Ruby absconded with entire chunk of Prairie Ridge Cheddar. I got it out of her mouth, but surprisingly no one felt like more cheddar at that moment,
2012 Benoit Lahaye La Violaine Pit fruits, apples, almond, biscuit all wrapped into a harmonious packageLong , vivid finish A- NV Alexandre Filaine Cuvee Speciale Smoke/gunflint and Granny smith, with some brioche. B+/A- NV Alexandre Filaine DMY Starts off tight, but really blossoms. White fruits, chalk, citrus blossom, this is like (Very good) Chablis with bubbles! A- 1996 Pol Roger Brut Mature, golden fruit, ripe, ready. B+/B Red theme was 60s and 70s California, but we segued with a couple of blind wines that people brought For the reds we did some sausages (andouille, merguez, and bratwurst) as well as pot roast A couple of off theme blind wines 1970 Rausan Segla Lovely, group quickly called Bordeaux but it took a while to get to Margaux. Velvety, warm red fruits overlaid with mushroom and forest floor. A- 1970 Louis Latour Vosne Romanee bereft of life, it rests in peace, this is an ex-wine (a couple of people thought it had redeeming qualities) D+ Then to 60s and 70s California NV Gemello Lot 72A Reminiscence Zinfandel Apparently a particular lot (72A) of 1972 mixed with some 1975. Most split opinions of day, with some thinking well past, others (like me) finding plenty to like. Warm, brambly,with some black tea notes, drink up 1977 Joseph Swan Zinfandel I think best old Zin I?ve ever tried. Ripe dark fruits, spice, smoke, and more spice. A little lifted but not a flaw, quite long. A-/B+ 1980 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Not sure where I acquired but glad I did. Red plum, mint, a hint of green pepper, long. B+/A- NV 68/69 Spring Mountain Lot H Cabernet Sauvignon So all Heitz fruit, ;?68 Martha?s and ?69 Napa.Spicy rich and long, great showing. Some liked more than ?68 Napa. B+ 1968 Heitz Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Blackcurrant, cedar, herbs. Delicious and no hurry. A- 1973 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Bright acids, resolved tannn, cassis and black plum framed with smoke. A- 1974 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon A little rounder, clumsier, but still a nice mature CS. B 1975 Ridge Montebello Cabernet Sauvignon Corked. Damn, I opened because Craig said he?s like to try since his last one was corked. Looking at CT notes a significant percentage seem to indicate TCA. 1975 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Wow, this is muscular for 45+ years old. Still some tannin, big black fruits, good length B+/A-1978 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Quickly opened to replace corked 75 MonteBello. Ripe and rich, good acids, black cherry and plum, cigarbox, nice balance. A-/B+
Appetite for more, so I went to cellar for a blind wine. Decided I needed a cradle from upstairs, might as well take a 2nd blind wine with me.
2010 Clos de la Roilette (Coudert) ?Cuvee Tardive? Fleurie No one was really close (guesses were mostly Rhone, but some south and some north). Of course knowing what it was I thought quite typical- lovely acids, some mostly resolved tannin way in back, red fruit with spice and earth. B+ 1966 Rausan Segla Group got Bordeaux quickly, John got estate and vintage. This is showing tired compared to the ?70, acids are sticking out, fruit is there but overshadowed by ashtray notes. B-/C+ 1974 Mayacamas Late Harvest Zinfandel 16+% and it shows. Hot, volatile, and disjointed. C- What a fun afternoon/evening, with great group (who put up with me AND Ruby) and great wines.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 party where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.