Saturday we went to a housewarming party. Alex and Hilary and their three kids had moved from a tiny teeny weeny 1802 house to a huge rambling late Victorian. It seemed they'd invited most of the population of the Rivertowns, as well as most of the French population of NYC. A fantastic cheese platter, assorted salads, and a lot of drink. A beautiful night, we mostly stayed outside. Wines included:
2004 Clos Roche Blanche Pineau d'Aunis Rosé (Touraine) I brought this very pale, very fun rosé. Bright strawberry fruit with some rosemary and flinty mineral notes, good stuff. Unfortunately, quickly drained. B+
2004 Iche (Oupia) "Les Heretiques" (Vin de Pays de l'Hérault) My other contribution, fun easy wine with just enough structure and complexity to keep one's interest. Red plum fruit, some pleasant herby notes. This just got a NYTimes panel best value ranking, so I'm sure it's going up, luckily have most of a case at the $7 price. Solid B
2004 Cortijo III Rioja Hmm, I thought this was a decent cheap wine in previous vintages, but this is not doing it for me. Dull red cherry fruit, a lifted nose, short finish. There's a clipped edge to the fruit, and a disjointed feeling overall. C+/C
2003 Marques de Caceres Rosado (Rioja) Sweet-cherry fruit, heavy for a rosé. B-/C+
2004 Marques de Caceres Blanco (Rioja) Quite a bit better. Clean pear and peach fruit, light floral notes. Refreshing and easy if simple white. B
2003 Recusi Chardonnay (Napa) - pear juice in a oaken cup, nothing to see here folks, move along. B-/C+
2002 Mauritson Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma) - very round ripe style of Cabernet, some cassis and black plum fruit, round tannins. Might be ok with a steak, but a bad idea for a sipping glass as I've finished eating. But decent for style. B/B-
By time Betsy got there after a performance the party was winding down. We enjoyed sitting around outside with Alex and Hilary, with a glass of
2001 Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon Clear clean black fruit, short finish, medium-bodied. OK for a value CS. B/B-
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.