Memorial Day was about as perfect weatherwise as one could imagine- mid 70s, bright sunshine, light breeze, low humidity. And a fairly perfect crowd of friends (about 35 adults and 10 kids) joined us for a great party. Rather than make a huge amount of one thing, I had gotten several different "main courses," and grilled beef ribs, flank steak, salmon, shrimp, and hot dogs- others contributed venison sausage, venison chops, and a pork loin for the fire. Of course not just flesh- also grilled asparagus, squash, and Japanese eggplant (and Betsy made peanut sauce for the latter). I made mango salsa and Betsy made potato salad, others brought a cornucopia of salads, appetizers, and desserts. We were sated, and people lingered for hours after the official end time. With a big crowd mostly concentrated on QPR wines, and some friends also brought some:
White
2007 Drouhin St Veran Good acids, clean citrus fruit, very long finish for inexpensive Chardonnay. Some interesting hay and chalk notes. Glad I bought some ($12.50). B+
2008 Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Sauvignon #2 Bright and sassy, gooseberries with just a edge of grass, nice acidity, another winner from CRB. B+
2004 Musar Blanc(Bekaa Valley) (this isn't the Ch. Musar, but what I think is basically the 3rd wine after the Chateau and Hochar). Ron thinks it's corked (it's in screwcap, but still possible), but I don't. I do think there is something a bit bacterial and a bit offputting going on. I'm not usually someone who finds a little brett a problem, but this isn't something I want to drink -sweaty socks. C-
2008 Hofer Gruner Veltliner in the liter bottle. Light, easy, refreshing. B-
2007 Jakob Schneider Riesling Kabinett (Nahe) also in liter. Peaches and a little cherry, light, fairly sweet, good. B
2007 Paul Pernot Bourgogne Blanc Clean fresh apple/pear fruit, nice soil tones, straightforward and delicious. B/B+
Pink
2008 Domaine Rimbert Petit Cochon Bronzé Think this is just VdT, but Rimbert is in St Chinian I believe. Cute pig on label, I had meant to paste "swine flu vaccine" over the name, but ran out of time. Cherries and orange zest, good acids, fun little wine. B
2007 Pigmentum Malbec Rose Didn't note area, Argentine? Bigger, a hint of sweetness, ok. B-/C+
NV Latitude 50 Brut Rose (Rheingau) Pretty strawberry fruit, light, just a hint of sweetness, good length. B
Red
2005 Andrew's Vat "Alder Ridge" Syrah Quite ripe, light tannins, not very deep though weighty. B-/C+
Lancatay Cabernet Sauvignon Didn't get vintage on this , Argentine. Sweet oak-chippy, not much spine, fruit forward, not appealing to me C+
2007 Breton " Trinch!" Bourgueil Ah, more like it. Black cherries, a little herb and green tobacco, refreshing acidity, light tannins, easy to drink. B+
2007 La Vieille Ferme Juicy, but with a bit of backbone. Uncomplicated and likeable. B-
2007 Iche "Les Heretiques" Somehow this was gone before I ever got a taste!
1971 Domaine de Chevalier (Graves) OK, have to open something at least a bit "serious." I love getting stuff cheap because of damp stained labels. Lots of bricking, black plums overlaid with leather and forest floor. Tannins fully resolved, but this is still quite alive and a saved portion holds up well for close to an hour in glass. Seamless, balanced, not a "look at me"wine but a fine example of classic mature Graves. A-
2007 Brun (Terres Dorees) Cotes de Brouilly. Clean red fruits, a little espresso edge, nice Beaujolais. B/B+
The hosts had fun, the guests had fun, the dogs had fun. Yippee.
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.