July 4th was a scorcher, but a couple dozen people showed up for a party , and surprisingly most stayed outside rather than fleeing to the AC. I was in charge of mango salsa, tuna with green garlic/wasabi aioli, skirt steak, sausages, hot dogs.Betsy did the guacamole, broccoli salad, poat dot (Cambodian style corn), grilled clams with fried garlic (I did the grilling part of last 2). Others brought black bean/corn salad, quiche, deviled eggs, fruit salads, bratwursts, multiple desserts. With heat most seltzer/beer consumption than usual, comparatively few wines got opened. The only bubbles was the NV Castellroig Cava, snappy and refreshing as usual. B
The pinks
2017 Baudry Chinon rose Last year?s model was still hanging on well, cherry and raspberry, but more mineral driven. B+ 2018 Espelt ?Corali? Rosado Cherry candy, dull and heavy yet dilute. C+The whites
2002 Pascal Cotat ?Monts Damnes? Sancerre Wow, great showing. Floral, grapefruit, stony minerals, beeswax. There?s a honied sweetness but no real oxidation. Full, balanced, long. A-2012 Maximin Grunhauser ((Von Schubert) Abtsberg Riesling Superior Qba (#4) Peach and lime zest, just a hint of petrol, herbs. Long and lovely. B+
2015 Selbach-Oster ?Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett (#14) I think this is shutting down a bit , not as expressive as it was, just shows sweetness. B- for now2004 Pepiere Clos des Briords Muscadets Softer vintage of Briords, quite tasty but not going to hold my remaining, broad lemon and oyster shell flavors, good length. B+ The red
2006 La Voute des Crozes (Chanrion ) Cote de Brouilly Cranberry, smoke, some herb/spice. Fills out. Fun B/B+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.