So Saturday was Jacques' Annual Pool Party. I didn't even bother to bring a swimsuit as it was monsoon day in Westchester. Miraculously, suddenly the rain stopped, and we went down to pool, and wiser people went for a swim. The afternoon "appetizers" (enough food to feed an army) included hummus (maybe the best I've ever had), guacamole, shrimp, scallops, crab, lobster, fish, and 4 sauces for the seafood (mayo, saffron mayo, chili mayo, and cocktail sauce). Unbelievable spread, and a (mostly) great lineup of whites (hope I noted these correctly):
1997 JL Chave Hermitage Blanc Waxy, oily, mature fruit flavors of apple, apricot, and citrus zest. This is pretty good, though Mark worries that it shows much more mature than it should (I don't drink enough white Rhone to comment). B +/B1999 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne (mag) This, however, I can say is definitely PremOxed. Not totally undrinkable, but this tastes 25 years old not 10. C+
1992 Drouhin "Folatieres" Puligny-Montrachet 1er Mine, this is also oxidized, though nothing really premature about it. I had a recent bottle that showed fully mature, but this is way over the hill. Both had slightly dark color, but this one got cloudy when chilled (don't remember that on other), and this quickly got very dark after opening. Undrinkable. I've only had these a couple years, don't know about previous storage. This bottle, F2005 Pernot "Folatieres" Puligny-Montrachet 1er What a contrast, so fresh and young. Full-bodied with pear and a hint of hazelnut, good acids, great length. A-
2000 Domaine Leflaive "Pucelles" Puligny-Montrachet 1er I thought I got a little corkiness at first, but whatever it was blew off. Classic Chardonnay pear/apple fruit, a pleasant little funkiness, good length. B+2006 Matrot (I believe Pierre, but the Matrots are the one Burgundy family where I don't think it matters) Meursault Really lively and young, rounder than the Pulignys, solid village level Meursault. B+
2000 Raveneau Montee de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Pretty tightly wound, more about potential than current pleasure, good acidity, coiled fruit, chalky minerality. B for now2001 Raveneau Butteaux Chablis 1er Way more pleasurable now, gorgeous bottle of Chablis, bright crisp fruit, loads of chalk, a little hint of gunflint on finish. A-
2001 Raveneau Montee de Tonnerre Chablis 1er Tasted later, not side by side with others. Apples, melon, minerals. Very good. B+1996 Ch. d'Epire "Cuvee Speciale" Savennieres Very young, I'm a little surprised not to get much wooly/waxy Chenin Blanc aromas, but otherwise a beautiful wine. Green apples, flowers, great acids, pure and linear. A-
2008 Joshua Starry Night Viognier I think I got name right. I'm not a big Viognier guy, but this is pretty nice. Medium bodied, good acids for Viognier, floral honeysuckle and tropical aromas. BWhew. I'll have to take a break before reporting on reds.
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.