Saturday was a 2 party day. Worked and went to farmers market in AM, then h osted a birthday tea for Lucy the Bassett Hound’s 14. Her annual pa rties have ranged from 3 to 13 other dogs, this year tied for least (becaus e we sent invite night before). But she was thrilled (don’t think s he can count) to have a black Lab, a cockapoo, and a golden retriever visit . While the dogs played, the humans had tea, cheddar, apples, and wine. No one asked for white (so the Steinerhund is still in fridge) but the 2013 Mu lderbosch Faithful Hound was opened. Like a modern styled petit chateau, bl ack plum with some oak and sweet finish, tad short. I like my hound more. B
-/C+
That evening we went to Marc and Annabelles. Marc just turned 50, but prefe rs to ignore it. So we just called it cassoulet night.
NV Pol Roger Brut Reserve Nice lighter styled Champagne, red apple fruit with yeasty bread tones, fin e mousse, nice verve. B+/B
To table, for a nice evening of cassoulet, salad, cheeses, and wines
2004 Luneau-Papin L d’Or Muscadet In a really nice place, fresh citrus and pear over a saline/mineral base. G ood acids, fresh finish. A-/B+1999 Clos La Coutale Cahors Good acids, still some tannin, black fruit is fading a bit and getting a li ttle roasted. B-
1966 Ch. Beychevelle Lovely showing. Fruit is still sweet, loads of cigarbox, earth, and herbs. WIth time the tobacco notes are more pronounced. A pointe, what I want in m ature Bordeaux. A-/A2005 Domaine and Selection Volnay This was Marc’s but I’ve had a few of these. Super shrill w hen young, this is drinking better though still higher acid. Red cherries a nd raspberries, a floral topnote. B-/B
2010 Breton “Clos Senechal” Bourgueil A bit tough to take at first, mostly tannins and green notes. With air it i mproves a lot, kind of classic midbodied Cab Franc. BFun group
Sunday we wanted something a little lighter, flounder with broccoli and egg plant (latter with a horseradish sauce, after a dish Marc and Annabelle des cribed at Blue Hill Stone Barns). Independently of Marc’s D& S Voln ay, I had discovered a forgotten bottle of the 2007 Domaine & Selection (Cl otilde Davenne) “Blanchot” Chablis Grand Cru. I thought col or looked a little dark, had a backup because I suspected premox, but it wa s ok. Very tart and lemony, some oaky notes. Not the most impressive Grand Cru but then I think it was $15. B-
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.