Thanksgiving at my brother's home. 16 people, and still we had three times as much food as needed: 2 turkeys (1 roast, 1 fried), 3 trays of different dressing/stuffing, twice-baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, squash casserole, ham, pumpkin pies, peanut butter pie, blueberry pie, apple pie, pound cake. And about 10 other things.
The wines:
2005 Cakebread Chardonnay My sister in law likes buttery Chardonnay, this is firmly in that camp. Big pear fruit, a touch of apple, big dose of movie theater "butter'. Vanilla and a hint of quince, big and maybe a tad hot. Not my style, others liked better. B-1997 Roederer Cristal Champagne I started calling my brother "Puff Dougy." I think this was a gift. Actually, I liked this Cristal from a non-heralded vintage more than some from big vintages. Definite yeasty Parker roll notes, but a little lighter and racier than some Cristals, which I have found ponderous. Good length, freshness. B/B+
2002 Maximum Grunhauser Abtsberg Kabinett Peaches and slate, good acidity, good length. Light and easy to drink (listed as 7.5% abv!) with moderate sweetness. Easy food matcher, good wine even if supposedly from a weak period. B+2001 Domaine Bachelet Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Tight at first, blossomed with some air. Bright sappy raspberry and black cherry fruit, deep and concentrated. This could age for a long time,but this is quite tasty now. Got better and better over several hours. Earthy and meaty notes, not a big wine, but a lovely midweight Pinot. A-
Nice evening, with family and their friends.