Sunday Betsy had a concert at Music Mountain, I went over to friends? ? for a nice evening (and she joined us for a late dinner). Nice group, w arm but with low humidity and a good breeze comfortable on the deck watchin g sunset over Palisades and Hudson.
Some nice warm weather wines:
2013 Dr. Frank Rkatsiteli Fun to blind Fred on this one. White pit fruits, citrus, white pepper. Nice finish. This kind of reminded me of a softer Gruner Veltliner. Fun for a $
10 closeout. B
2015 Jolivet Sancerre Rose Pale, crisp, strawberry fruited. B
2015 Lauverjet Sancerre Rose Also pale, zippy cranberry and raspberry fruit, mineral, good finish. B+/B
There was also a 2015 Negroamaro rose from Puglia, but I neglected to write down producer. Deeper color, red plum fruit, sweet/juicy, too soft for me. C+
Nice dinner of pork roast, slaw, olive bread, and corn. This was originally supposed to be a Northern Italian tasting for my local non-serious group, but when many couldn’t make it switched to a general dinner with sp ouses and others. But we did have 3 “theme” bottles
2003 Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Plush, ripe, black cherry and leather. I like a bit more acid in my Sangiov ese but this was pretty good. B
2012 Ar Pe Pe Rosso di Valtellina Bright acids, light tannin, crisp red fruit with floral and forest floor no tes. B+
2010 Vallana Spanna Light bodied, somewhat gritty tannins, pleasant red fruit but seemingly a b it closed. B- for now
Fun night. No wine Monday with spaghetti with green puttanesca
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.