Friday made myself some chicken braised in Riesling with greens and shiitakes. Cooking (and dinner) wine was the 2008 Monchof Urziger Wurzgarten Kabinett. Good acids, nice spectrum of flavors- apples, red cherries, and spices. Couple sips I thought a bit short , but mostly a satisfying crisp wine.B/B-
My local tasting group was coming over, a broader theme than normal ("chillable wines" in honor of summer). Friday was last day of school and some of group couldn;t make it (dads packing for camp), but we had a good time. While waiting for folks to arrive, we had the 2010 Castellroig "Ull de Llebre - Vi de Terrer" Rosado. Dark for rose, but fresh and vibrant, very likeable. B+/B
On to the blind wines #1- ok, first of all it's red! First whiff I say "Loire", when Fred confirms I say "Pineau d'aunis or Gamay", he says Pineau d'Aunis. Pine, sharp red fruits, a hint of what I called "potted plant" (and have been told is geranium). That character is not overwhelming, and I think the 2007 Clos Roche Blanche L'Arpent Rouge is holding better than I'd have expected. B
#2 - OK, I'm right that it is white. And I'm right that it's Sauvignon Blanc. But Fred guesses Loire, and that wasn't where I was going next. Quite grassy, on lighter side, with sweet almost tropical fruit (wine is dry). I was thinking maybe Rueda. Not bad, but I wouldn't have guessed Sancerre. 2009 Karine Lauverjat Sancerre. B-
#3. White again, but of course no guessing from me, it's my wine. Fred says white Burgundy, I say yes, then Meursault, I say no. I let them jump around Cote de Beaune before I say not Cote d'Or, then Fred gets Chablis. I can see the Meursault idea, asthis is quite big and rich, but it is does have a serious underlying flinty/mineral base. Lemon, floral notes, long finish, I really enjoy this. 2007 Christian Moreau "Les Clos" Chablis GC. A-
#4 We all get that it's rose! There are to me 3 kinds of rose that don't do it for me - ones that are too heavy/alcoholic, "blush" style ones, and ones that are thin, short, and dilute. Put this in latter category. Others seem to like it more. 2010 Domaine du Pere Caboche Rose. (VdP Vaucluse). C+
Rob showed up late, directly from an event, he apologized for no chance to bring wine. No problem, I had a backup in fridge (not blind). The 2001 Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Vendange is quite a bit sweeter than other Trimbach VTs I've had - think Auslese. Crisp snappy acidity, full and long, peaches and apples, some honey/apricot notes that I assume means there's a little botrytis lurking, young but pretty damn good! A-/B+
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.