Saturday I grilled some squid, served with a fiddlehead and French horn salad and chard gratin. Wine was the 2007 Fourrier Bourgogne Blanc. I'm a big fan of Fourrier's reds, and was looking forward to my first white. I have to say I was a little disappointed. Not a bad wine- nice acid balance, good length - but somehow this bored me. The fruit seemed just a touch flat, and though I had been told this was raised in neutral barrels there seemed to be some unintegrated oak notes. Maybe I was just having a bad palate night, but this never excited me. I took remnants to a party next day, but never retasted. For me, not a rebuy at $20. B-
So Easter Sunday I went to sister-in-laws', bearing wine and "eggs on eggs" (deviled eggs with caviar). Absolutely gorgeous day, and the big crowd spread outside, with the kids hunting eggs in waves. Lots of interesting food (salmon, paella, a great slaw, etc) and some wine:
2008 Nora "Peitan" Albarino I just wrote a note on this (I split a sale case with bro-in-law). Pretty consistent- apples and peaches, clean, good acidity. Nice for a warm day. B/B-2004 Gran Vecco Chardonnay Reserve (Mendoza) Thank god this was a plastic cup event- made it easy to just set this down and get a new cup without having to publicly dump. Bottle was almost empty, I can't believe people drank this. Flat, short, maderized, seems like it had some RS hanging in. Doubt this was good on release, now a D
2009 Box o' Birds Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, I believe) Grapefruit and gooseberry, just a hint of sweetness, pretty good for a cheap SB. B-/B2007 Brocard "Vaillons" Chablis 1er Really showing well, crisp apples and citrus, floral, nice chalkiness on finish. Very good length, fine bottle of Chablis. B++
2006 Meridian Merlot Low hopes for this one, not even met, though to be fair it was quite warm- sunshine straight on it. Sweet, low acid, raspberry and plum jam. Another cup abandoned. As served, C-2007 Domaine de la Patience Merlot (VdP du Gard) A little hint of brett on nose, but it blows off, a soft Merlot with red plum fruit. Good finish for level. B/B-
2007 Perrin Cotes du Rhone Pretty solid Rhone, red fruit, sweet without being jammy, some herbal notes. BFun afternoon, but we were having friends and their dog over for dinner, so I headed home to set the table and put the leg of lamb in the oven. Dinner was lamb (rosemary, thyme, and garlic), roasted potatoes, and sauteed spinach.
Greeting wine was the 1999 Charles Ellner "Cuvee Prestige" Champagne Brut. Nice larger framed bubbly, bready, good acidity under the big body. This isn't the most complex, but for price it's a good deal if you like heavier styles. B
I put out a selection and let Ron choose the reds:
2001 Rocher Bellevue Figeac (St Emilion) Solid if unexciting- red and black plums, a little cocoa, balanced acidity, resolved tannins. B/B-1981 Lopez de Heredia "Tondonia" Rioja Reserva. I've had (and loved) the 81 Tondonia GR, but wondered how the regular Reserva would have held out. Very well, as a matter of fact. Seems light and acidic on pouring, but quickly puts on body. Beautiful sweet red raspberry and strawberry fruit, lots of citrus zest, pretty and long. Wine is deceptive - seems lighter styled, yet when you pay attention it is concentrated and full. My Wine of Easter. A-
2001 Bernadotte (Haut Medoc) I think our guests slightly preferred this. Big black fruit, some hints of earth and oak. I found this a bit primary, but a good Bordeaux for level (but friends really loved). BGrade 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