Lobster was on sale, so steamed a couple chicks, made some spinach, and opened the
2006 Littorai Heintz Chardonnay. Pear, lemon zest, and just a touch of oak. The oak seems to come out a bit more with air, but in a nice hazelnut meets spice way. Not a ton of acid, this might be a little past peak, but still quite tasty. B+Friday was duck breast, quinoa, salad and the 2007 Mugneret-Gibourg Vosne-Romanee. I was frankly disappointed when opened- tart cranberry and raspberry, all acid, seemingly short finish. But revisited later that night better, and much better on day 2. Still red fruit and acid, but more balanced, with sandalwood and spice and longer minerally finish. B- to start at best, on day 2 B+. 2007 is supposed to be the drink now vintage but I think I'll hold remainder a bit (or open earlier in day).
With Betsy away (and me on airport run on Memorial Day), held my usual party on Saturday instead, with a smaller crowd. I made Chips with mango salsa, guacamole, spicy tomato salsa Carrot salad Grilled quail with 5 spice and orange marinade Grilled red snapper An assortment of sausages (hot dogs, Toulouse, Joe Biden, sweet and hot Italian) Elotes Others brought ribs, gravlax, brats, broccoli/cauliflower/apple salad, cherry/rhubarb pie, and more
2017 Lapalu Beaujolais Villages Vieilles Vignes Spicy, fresh, snappy raspberry/cherry fruit. Juicy and good. B+/B1998 Ch. Dalem (Fronsac) Served blind, Fred got 90s Bordeaux right away. But no one expects Fronsac (or the Spanish Inquisition). Good black plum and cherry fruits, soft acids, still a bit of tannin. Mocha and mushroom notes, mature but not tired. Great for level. B/B+
1971 Barisone Barolo Exhibit #451 in ?I?m opened this old Nebbiolo and it seemed tired but what a difference air made.? Stood up for a month, decanted, after a couple hours really a pretty lighter-styled wine- bright red fruits, dried cherry, rose petal, on the delicate/elegant side of older Nebbiolo. B+/A-1995 Altesino "Montosoli" Brunello di Montalcino Plums, quite pruney, alcohol sticking out a little, showing its age. B-/C+
2000 Taittinger Brut Champagne Millesime Creamy, bready, good mousse, pretty apple pie fruit, ready to go. B+2018 Keller Trocken Riesling Tart peach and green apple, some floral notes, grapefruit with air. There?s a chalky note to mineral finish. Very fine for level. B+/B
2015 Donnhoff Riesling QbA Fair amount of sweetness, limeade meets orange zest, fun. B2013 de Courcel Bourgogne Blanc Fat, needs more acid, sweet pear fruit but a touch of oxidation beginning to show. B-/C+
2015 Bzikot Bourgogne Blanc -corkedI still had some tenderloin and sausages that had never made it to the grill, so Sunday a few more friends came over. Got stuff off the grill just before skies opened up, we had a nice dinner in dining room- sousvide steak, sausages, quinoa salad with avocado, plus some leftover salads and quail.
NV Bruno Paillard ?Premiere Cuvee? Brut Champagne (July 2012 disgorgement) I?ve only had the Nec Plus Ultra from this producer before, which I liked but thought too expensive, but this is delicious and a fine bargain. Apple/pear with brioche and a little creme brulee, elegant mousse, long finish. Will get more. B++
2018 Arnot Roberts Rose Strawberry, watermelon, some minty herb. Nicely balanced, fun, but getting up there on rose price scale. B1989 Ch. Chasse-Spleen Nice showing, mature but not tired, still some tannic backbone, nicely balanced. Cassis with a ferric note, a bit of leather, good finish. I love this vintage. B++
Picked up Betsy at airport on Memorial Day, home and then a long walk with dog before a nice meal on patio- lobster rolls, hot dogs, cucumber
2017 Joseph Colin ?La Chateniere? St. Aubin 1er Cru Sweet pear, citrus, mineral finish, light oak notes. Tasty, but getting up there for St Aubin. Not a buy-again for me 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.