Lamb kebabs Friday with the 2004 Ch. d?Issan. Black cherry, plum, coffee. Rather plush low acid texture, moderate tannin, decent length. Still seems like oak needs to integrate. Have a couple more that I?ll hold and hope. B
Saturday oysters, roast grouper, Swiss chard and the 2010 Fevre Preuses Chablis GC. Wow, great showing. Saline nose with citrus and seaspray, bountiful white fruits on palate livened by great acids, long minerally finish. A-
A rainy Sunday with bucatini with spring onions and mint in a cream sauce, I find the 2015 Coudert/Clos de la Roilette ?Griffe du Marquis? Fleurie to be a bit much for the dish. Ripe and a bit oaky, this is burly for a Fleurie, and I hope it?s just an awkward stage. B-
Memorial Day dawned gray and cool, but some sunshine at end of day. We had some people over, though maybe 20 instead of usually 40-50. We did mango salsa, watermelon chaat, grilled vegetables, clams with fried garlic, cumin lamb with yogurt/sumac sauce, hot dogs with pico de gallo, Korean smashed cucumbers, and a pickle tray. Others brought salads (green, quinoa, cucumber, citrus/veg), sushi, tiramisu, peach pie.
Marie Courtin Eloquence Extra Brut Champagne (May 2019 disgorgement) Zingy acids, bright and tart (in a good way). Elegant and exciting. I?ve liked Marie Courtin a lot before, though this is a new cuvee to me. A-
2019 Pierre Martin ?Les Monts Damnes? Sancerre I don?t think I actually tried this before it was drained, I have liked before.2019 Collestefano Verdicchio di Matellica. Dry, fresh, citrusy. B/B+
2019 Emrich-Schönleber ?Mineral? Riesling Trocken Quite dry, and mineral indeed. Wet rocks and electric shocks. B+/A-2009 Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese (#12) Light sweetness, light bodied , fresh (7.5% abv, amazing for 2009). Peach, pear, and fruit blossoms. Long tangy finish. B+
2011 Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Young, meaty, structured. B/B+2012 Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Seems older, same abv (14.5) but it comes across as a little hot, the alcohol sticks out. B-/C+
2015 Lapierre Morgon This was pretty popular, though I found it pushing the ripeness edge for me for cru Beaujolais. Big berry fruit, some light barnyard (this is sulphured bottling), crunchy mineral finish. B2019 Vincent ?Zenith? Pinot Noir My first Vincent (and I almost missed, it was on last few ounces when I learned it was open) . Light bodied but full flavored, bright and vibrant red fruits, nutmeg, cloves. Well balanced and lovely/lively. B++
2006 Gonon St. Joseph Gets better and better in decanter. Blackberry fruit, a big meaty note, tapenade, sauve tannins, clean bright acids. Ah for the days this was $21. A-1978 Domaine de Chevalier rouge Black cherry and cassis, tobacco/cigarbox, fully resolved tannins, elegant. I always go back and forth if I prefer this or the lovely ?79, should have opened both. A-/B+
Someone had brought a bottle called The Full Fifteen (I think Aussie), but I managed to send home with someone else. Really nice to be in an almost normal party situation!
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.