Last night we went to a Farm to Table dinner hosted by my friends Alex and Fred. Fun night, nice crowd. Fred had a selection of mostly natural wines, but I also carried some bonus bottles.
We were greeted with toasted raclette on baguette with cornichon, and a glass of the NV Domaine des Plageoles "Nature" (Gaillac). Nice, reminds me of a cross between artisanal apple cider and Champagne. I had assumed the "nature" meant no dosage, but this had some definite sweetness. B/B-
First course was a winter squash soup with creme fraiche, the red was a
2008 Domaine du Mortier. Not sure of the appellation on this one- no vintage on bottle (just cork), and it says Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil in tiny letters on front. Maybe it's a St Nic, but I wondered if it was a VdT and that was just winery address. In any case light framed Cab Franc, raspberry/cranberry with a weedy edge, and a bit of brett. B-
Main course was Choucroute garnie a l'Alsacienne.
2008 Binner "Les Saveurs"- Edelswicker style blend. Light, floral, with a bit of tropical fruit and litchi. B/B-
2007 Binner "Ammerschwihr" Riesling A bit cloudy, rich with citrus and peach fruit, a little petrol and slate. B
2007 Leon Beyer Riesling There was a lone bottle of this, and maybe it had been opened previously, because it had a real oxidative edge. Apple peels, apple, dry finish. If this is the wine, C/C+
1999 Trimbach "Cuvee Frederic Emile" Riesling This showed quite well. Lime and grapefruit, apple, some petrol. Nice mouthfeel, excellent length. I wish a recent '99 CSH has showed this nicely! A-
Dessert was tarte tatin, and I opened a 2002 Chidaine Montlouis Moelleux. Not that much sweeter than average demi-sec, good acidity, extraordinarily popular, but I was slightly disappointed, as it seems a bit simple and foursquare. Tasty? yes. Complex? No. B-
Fun night.
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.