So Hermine was doing her thing, and forecast for Sunday (when we had invite d a crowd) was for tropical storm conditions. Then day before turned to dry but 40 mph winds. But we held out and made a decision Sun Am- forecast sai d cloudy gusts to 30, but while breezy it never got that windy, and sun sta yed out. Pretty perfect day for backyard party.
Betsy made guacamole, a kale salad, and a load of fried chicken. I grilled flank bulgogi, elotes, salmon, clams with garlic, sausages, hot d ogs Others brought gazpacho, roasted vegetables, bean salad, ribs, sesame noodl es, lo mein, dessert and much more.
2015 Guion Bourgueil rose Good acids, modest strawberry fruit, tangy grapefruit finish. B/B-2015 Baudry Chinon rose Fulle/riper than some years, but still tangy and tasty. Herby, strawberry a nd cherry, some citrus zest. B+
2014? Beringer White Zinfandel. I think last time I tasted a Beringer WZ (10 or so years ago) I found it me tallic or weird. This was actually pretty clean flavors. It tasted like cra nberry cocktail that had been deacidified. C1992 Stony Hill Chardonnay Alive, honied pear fruit, a little wax, not very exciting. B-
2015 Pepiere Muscadet Crisp, saline, tangy B++2005 Huet Clos du Bourg” Vouvray Demi-Sec I think this is in an awkward phase. Nothing wrong, but subdued and without much verve, mild apple and wool. The last half-pour from the bottle seemed to have more going on. But my real pour, B
2011 JJ Prum “wehlener Sonnenuhr” Riesling Kabinett Young but delicious. Citrus, green apple, herbs, a little CO2. B+2007 Luneau-Papin “L d’Or” Muscadet Great stuff underneath, but TCA has come to play. :(
2015 La Vieille Ferme blanc Screwcapped, easy, good acids for Rhone, spice, honey, melon. Simple but go od. B-2013 Texier Chat Fou CdR Easy, floral, peppery with good acids for CdR. B
1977 Torres Gran Corona Reserva Black Label Good fruit remains, popular with crowd, but to me this is somewhat clunky a nd uninspiring. I just don’t need Spanish CS (though I used to like these back in the day). Maybe if you needed a relatively cheap birthyear w ine. B-1970 Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon WOTD for me. Black and red fruits, tobacco, lots of menthol/herbs. Pretty c lassic old school lighter styled (12% abv) CS. A-
2013 Meridion “Pierre Perrin” Cotes du Rhone Raspberry, plump, herby. B-/C+2007 Jadot “Les Rugiens” Pommard Like many ‘07s, showing well. Sappy red fruits, smoke, hint of moch a. Firm but suave tannins. B+
1985 Lejeune “Les Argillieres” Pommard 1er New to me. Godo acids, still some good red and black cherry fruit, fairly f ull-framed. Good showing (I think I liked more than guy who brought it). B+2000 Texier St. Gervais Cotes du Rhone Village VV Amazing, plastic cork but alive. Ripe raspberries, leather, not very comple x but it gets drained.
OK, so not stunning wine day, but lots of fun and no hurricane
Labor Day assorted leftovers, with the 2006 La Garde (Pessac-Leognan). Blac k plums, cocoa, modern without being over the top, not bad. 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 p arty where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency