Betsy's at a center in the Berkshires preparing for a Saturday concert. Monday night I had the scant leftovers of some reds with hefty leftovers of ribs, then did some work on my cellar. Decided to have a glass of white, and opened the
1999 Vineyards of Pannonia Pinot Gris Select Harvest Dry Auslese Trocken (bit redundant, imho). The label says Authentic Austrian©. Whatever that means. This was a purchase based on a rec from a store owner I don't know. Hmm, not THAT trocken, can detect a bit of RS. Quite hot. Modest lemon fruit with a hint of spice. Some light oxidative/sherry notes, flat finish. Further research finds a listing of 22.5 Brix, RS 6.4 g/l Alcohol 14.6%, Acidity 5.5 g/l. Obviously that can't be right- 22.5 brix fermented to complete dryness wouldn't give
14.6%. Michael Pronay offers the opinion that this is an export-only bottling, and that the brix might be a typo, maybe for 25.2 (because 22.5 couldn't be called Auslese in Austria). Possibly this is a damaged bottle, but doesn't seem interesting enough to worry about.Wednesday evening some visitors down the rest. They like it, says it reminds them of a daiquiri! I take a tiny taste, don't get the association besides the alcohol. This bottle gets a C/C+.
Tuesday I rewarm some red sauce that Betsy made for Saturday lunch, and sauté some spinach. Put a bottle of 1999 Olga Raffault "Les Picasses" Chinon in fridge to lightly chill. Maybe not the best vintage in Loire, but an attractive wine. Good acidity, good raspberry fruit with a little coffee. Nice finish, deep red fruit with a kaffir lime note. Probably could age some more despite vintage rep, but I doubt my remaining bottle lasts that long. B+/A-
Wednesday the hound and I were scheduled to go to a riverside concert, but a tremendous thunderstorm that afternoon made thought of sitting in wet grass unappealing. So we invited some friends to join us at home for some hummus, soppressata, and cheeses. A few joined us, and one brought some fresh Scottish salmon and corn. We sampled the Pinot Gris and Chinon (the Chinon was even better day 2). Then with the salmon (baked with a mild bbq sauce), the 2001 HRM Rex Goliath Giant 47 Pound Rooster Pinot Noir (Central Coast). Very ripe (riper than I remember) sweet red cherry and raspberry fruit, noticable oak. Not my favorite style, but quite the wine for under $6, and a definite crowdpleaser. Need to pick up more. B I have the last of the Chinon (humming!) with the cheese course (Cypress Grove Midnight Madness and Bobolink Drumm).
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. Dale
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