Blazing hot Labor Day, but a bunch of hearty folks gathered in the shade of our backyard (with some breaks in the AC). I did a seared tuna nicoise sal ad, shisitos, elotes, salsas (mango/peach and tomato). Betsy did ribs, smas hed cucumber salad, tomatillo guacamole.Others brought more ribs, steak, co rn salad, gazpacho, pasta/tuna salad, green papaya salad, tiramisu, caprese , grain salad, fennel salad, cheeses, and more. I had sausages from local butcher, marinated leg of lamb, and hot dogs but we never got around to coo king
The pinks
2017 Cazin Rose Light, strawberry and melon, B2017 La Tour du Bon Bandol Rose Light color, delicate, but with good persistency. B+/B
The whites
2012 Abbatucci “General of the Revolution” blanc Full, tangy, different. Peach and lemon, bitter almond, long chalky finish. Quite fun B+/A-1988 Dr. Weins-Prum Graacher Himmelreich Auslese I went back and forth as to whether this was corked, but ultimate answer wa s yes. Too bad, seemed nice underneath
1999 Foreau Vouvray Sec This was strange, initially VA, Pineapple meets Pinesol, later more wax/lan olin. Not a great Foreau, but interesting. B-2015 Luneau-Papin Vera Cruz Muscadet Moderate ripeness, citrus and saline.Good if not Briords. B
2016 Cap du Midi Sauvignon Blanc Used for cooking wine (braising liquid for ribs), not especially grassy, bu t thin and dilute. Happy to pour for someone who wanted a spritzer in heat. C+The Bubbles
Marie Courtin Eloquence Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Bright, light yet with depth, elegant A-
Bera Moscato d’Asti (375) Not a big Moscato drinker, but this was nice in an easygoing style, B
The Reds
1976 Ravenswood Zinfandel A friend couldn’t make it, so sent his wife with a bottle to blind me (and a couple other geeks) with. I whiffed! I think we all thought an ol der claret- spicy red fruits, some cedar, ashtray, resolved tannins, high acids. I guessed 1979 Graves, though then thought Jay’s suggestion of ‘71 was better and changed my vote. Wrong country, wrong grape. Fun wine to try, though it did fall apart by 2nd go round. First time, B+/B2001 Laurel Glen Young , black and red currant, balanced acids, some mocha/espresso, nice le ngth. I still have some 90s LGs but nothing from this century, should fix.B
+2010 Drouhin Fleurie I’ve liked in the past, but this seemed flat, maybe had gotten too warm. B-/C+?
2015 Dinocheau Pineau d’Aunis Cranberry, some pine needle, only a little geranium. BI missed a few wines (‘14 Coudert Griffe du Marquis, Corsican rose, etc) as I told folks to take bottles with them. Fun day despite heat.
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 p arty where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.