Sunday Betsy’s quartet played Bargemusic, after we walked up to Jac k The Horse Tavern in Brooklyn Heights for dinner. I had planned on BYO (ha d a Dujac MSD and a Steiner Hund in my bag to cover red or white), but when we got to restaurant she said she’d like a cocktalil. Didn? ?t seem smart to open a bottle at that point, so I just got a BTG white. The 2013 Stadlmann Gruner Veltliner was on the plump and sweet side, not to me recognizably GVish, a bit like KJ chard with better acids. B-/C+ Meal was pretty good (baby lettuce salad, octopus with chorizo and cannelli ni, cod, risotto, brussels sprouts- last 2 could have been more aggresively season) but place was a bit loud for us. On drive home we enjoyed watched the “supermoon” over Queens, and watched the eclipse later.
Monday was acorn squash, roasted cauliflower/broccoli/peppers, sesame snow peas, salad,& honey/cumin carrots. Lots of flavors to throw off a pairing, but the 2014 Clos Roche Blanche “Pif” was nicely versatle. Peppery fruits, some green leaf/tobaccoleaf aromas, spicy and lively. B++
Tuesday took train down to city, Craig was hosting SOBER at Franco’ s loft, though several people couldn’t make it so lots of replaceme nts (nice folk). As I arrived 2 gleeful 4-year olds informed me my name was “Banana Pudding” That called for a drink:
( I neglected to bring paper, tried Notes on my phone, think I can figure o ut what I meant)
1996 Henriot Brut We’ve had some great bottles of this, but this seemed to lack livel iness, and have a little sour edge to finish. No real oxidation, but lackin g spark. C+So Franco opened a replaement.
2003 Brut by Bollinger (that’s what it said, not Grand Annee) Sweet, tropical, lush, not my kind of Champagne. B-/C+Mixology class - the sum was better than the parts, I’d give the ⅓ Henriot to ⅔ Bolly a B-
Nice collection of cheeses and charcuterie around
First Flight #1- fresh, waxy/wooly (I thought Loire CB at first), white fruits and tange rine. I’m astonished at age when unveiled. 1973 Stony Hill Chardonn ay (actually says Pinot Chardonnay) A-
#2- VA and oxidation, not attractive, flawed bottle,
1974 Stony Hill Chardonnay (also says Pinot Chardonnay)#3 - warm, tropical, quite pleasant though exotic (some Aussie guesses) Hol ding up well.
1978 Hanzell Chardonnay B+Craig had a really nice dish in here- egg baked with mushrooms and cheese Second blind flight we were all over the place with these, someone guessed Spain, I guessed Cor sica! Craig said we’d jave heard of the wines but probably haven? ??t had the wines. #1- weird nose, I’d say flawed, but actually full and fairly fresh on palate.
1986 Fiorano Malvasia Bwine #2 : This was thin on nose and palate and I didn’t really care for it much. C+/B-
1994 Fiorano Malvasia I didn’t really actually know the story but it was interesting - ne w wines to me. Wild storyRebecca made a nice salad with almonds and cheese
First red flight #1 - closed, dull, hard to get a read on. 2005 Mugnier Clos de la Marechale Nuits St George B-/C+
#2 Ripe, giving, warm, I’m surprised when Craig says PN and even mo re when revealed.
2006 Mugnier Clos de la Marechale Nuits St George, BI have both of these, and hope it’s just awkward teenage phase!
Second red Flight One wine was corked- think it was 83 Guigal
Wine #1- Bacon, pepper, spice, think Beaver or Chris got N. Rhone right awa y,
1978 Delas Hermitage B+Wine #2 (pop and pour as replacement) Meatier, earthy, mushrooms, good.
1978 Guigal Hermitage B+/BWhole baked blackfish (tautog) with baked carrots
Final red flight Wine #1 : Elegant, sandalwood and red fruit, very nice.
1970 Palacio “Glorioso” Gran Riserva A-/B+Wine #2- Quiet black fruits, earth, a little tobacco. Really no tannin, I w as very surprised to hear vintage. 1975 Pape Clement B+/B
Wine #3- I left before this was unveiled , but I enjoyed my taste a lot. Po werful, smoky, good length. 1986 Kalin Cabernet Sauvignon B+/A-
Fun night, sorry for those that missed it
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.