I forgot to write any notes of a Canadian CF I tasted briefly after our Loire CF tasting, the 2012 Vineland Estates Winery Cabernet Franc Reserve, but I enjoyed. No wine Monday
Tuesday was the 4th, and we were nervous about the forecast for our Independence Day party. We decided to go for it, but ended up with about 30 people instead of our usual 40-60 (folks who didn’t want to take chance on a thunderstorm). Hot and humid but never rained! We made guacamole and a garlic scape/white bean dip, as well as a radicchio/anchovy salad. I grilled poat dot (cambodian corn), clams with garlic sauce, Tbones, bratwurst, hot dogs, chorizo, squash, as well as some sweet potatoes and scallions for a salad Betsy prepared. Guests brought tons of food, standouts included pork shoulder (with 4 sauce choices), a lot of salads (cucumber, pasta salad, watermelon broccoli, bean) deviled eggs, cake, and strawberry mousse.
2022 Baudry Chinon Rose Nice freshness, cherry and raspberry with orange peel, crunchy mineral finish. B+2018 Bisol Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore Relio Rive di Guia Brut Sweet, spicy, not so long. OK I guess at $10, but this retails fro $40. B-/C+
2012 Roederer Starck Rose Cherries, rye bread, honeydew. This is no dosage but is actually quite generous. A tragedy occurred- apparently bottle was flipped in cooler and all emptied. B+NV (2005) Charles Heidsieck Special Edition Brut Rose.(disgorged 2019). Cherries, caraway sweet, fleshy and leesy, geeky friend didn’t enjoy but I did B+/B
2022 Zarate Albarino Lemon and nectarie, good acids, saline mineral finish. Good with clams, good QPR. B/B+2014 Collier Saumur Blanc A little matchstick blows off, apple and wool, good but can’t see the “next Rougeard” hype. B/B+
2019 Fichet Les Hautes Auxey-Duresses blanc Pear, white flowers, oyster shell, good saline finish. B+/B1995 Roda I Rioja Reserva (mag) Juicy, still dominated by vanilla oak, crowdpleasing sweet plonk, not my thing. Sent along with folks going to fireworks display C+
1974 de Forville Barbaresco Blinded Jay, who guessed Barolo immediately, when I said Barbaresco he got producer on 3rd try- impressive. Funky at first, cleans and opens up, dried cherries, tea, Tang. On the delicate end of older Nebbiolo, but still some interest. I thought it had cracked up when tasted an hour later, but then maybe best on last retaste after all went home, very floral. B+/B2017 Vincent Bjornson Pinot Noir Probably my WOTD. Black cherry and raspberry, peppery spice, rich but with vibrant acidic soul. A-
1983 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese (I think, missing label) Deteriorating cork, deteriorated wine.2005 Bert Simon Serriger Herrenberg Auslese Goldkapsel Pit and tropical fruits, honeycomb, a touch of citrus. God balance. B+
Whew, lucked out with wine. Brought but unopened wines included a strawberry Moscato that my helper appreciated next day! Fun time, but we decided more important to clean up than to go to fireworks.
Wednesday was clear, but pretty hot, we headed to river for first park concert of the year (the best female Japanese jazz organist I’ve ever seen). Great time with friends. We carried pate, grissini with pickled radicchio and Genoa salami, cheeses, salad with smoked duck breast, white anchovies, etc. Also tried Fred’s delicious deconstructed Nicoise.
2022 Tiberio Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Dark color, but light on its feet. Dense cherry, strawberry, herbs. B+2009 Huet Le Haut Lieu Franc de Pied Just off dry, honied peachy lemondrop flavors with beeswax, very long mineral finish. A-
2022 Vina Zorzal Garnacha Rosado (Navarra) Red plum, strawberry, on the rounder side. B-/C+2020 Olga Raffault Les Picasses Chinon Pretty open and friendly, deep red fruits, green tobacco, just a hint of bell pepper. B with potential
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.