Man, yesterday was gorgeous, about 80 and low humidity as I loaded the Basset at 6 and headed to park for the concert (Nanny Assis, good Brazilian jazz act). I carried cheeses, pate and salami, and a hot and sour slaw; friends were there with assorted salads, more cheeses, fruit, and more. I also had a frozen marrow bone to keep Lucy occupied, and hired a couple of kids to take shifts walking her. Close to a perfect night, lacking only Betsy (who is in Montreal).
2009 Francois Cotat "Les Monts Damnes" Sancerre This was just lovely, lush broad fruit but with a solid acidic backbone, chalky minerality and long finish. Lots of wines around, but this was the wine that got finished. Big, loads of potential but drinking so nicely now. A-
2010 Terres Dorees (Brun) "Rose d'Folie" Beaujolais In the fun clear bottle! Bright, zesty, tasty. B/B+
2009 Baudry "Les Granges" Chinon Maybe a little lusher/fruitier than most years, but clean red currant fruit, a bit of Loire CF herbaceousness, green tobacco leaf, nice finish.. Pretty juicy. B+/B
2010 Pico Maccario "Berro" Chardonnay (Piemonte) LIght, with a light grassy note much more SBish than Chardonnayian. Screwcap, clean, cheap. B-/C+
2010 Hugues Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet (Coteaux du Languedoc) Lime/citrus, very light, good acidity, not complex but nice hot weather wine. B-
Plus Roger brought the 2010 Castellroig Rosado I've posted several notes on, nice typical showing, and there was a 2010 Soucherie "Cuvee l'Astree" Rose de Loire that someone offered, but it had been opened 3 days and it showed. Would like to try a fresh bottle.
Great time, cool breeze, and we stayed till sun went down beyond the Palisades and light faded. The only off-note was when a (very nice) woman told me as we were leaving that while one of the kids was walking her, Lucy helped herself to a low-lying piece of proscuitto. Yikes, embarrassment!
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.