Saturday we rose early, drove to Portland, ME where we rendezvoused with fr iends and got on 6 hour ferry to Yarmouth NS. Nighttime when we got to Cana da, then a drive to Sandy Cove on Digby Neck where other friends were waiti ng. Too late to have any wine. Next day a lazy day around farmhouse, fresh mackerel with lunch, halibut with dinner.
2007 Trimbach “Cuvee Frederic Emile” Riesling Good acids, some mineral, but this seems to be maybe shut down a bit. I lik ed more on release, guessing just needs time. ?Monday excursion to French Shore, then back for sunset/whale watching and f ish stew dinner, with 2001 Remi Jobard “ Le Poruzot-Dessus” Meursault 1er Cru (a 2002 Charmes from this producer was once declared hos tess’s fave wine ever). No premox, pear and vanilla, on fatter side , competent. B-/B
2017 Domaine de Grand Pre Tidal Bay White blend. Floral, touch of sweetness, a little saline. B- Tuesday we went out on a whale watching boat (saw 7 humpbacks, including 2 calves) then back to house for steak, squash, wild rice, and the 1983 Ch. C anon. Nice showing, red fruits, sandalwood, cigarbox. A little leather. Mat ure, elegant, long. A-Wednesday a lot of errands, as we (Betsy and I and family of 4 ) couldn? ??t be there for host/hostess’s 50th bday party Sat, we planned the dinner. 12 people (Jonathan’s aunt, cousin, and cousin? ?s family joined us) and we did a riff on a gala social justice dinner we all participate in annually. Zanily elaborate centerpiece, parody songs, l obster salad, scallops, rice, and more
2017 Blomidon Tidal Bay White Floral and musky, sweet apple fruit, good acids. B 1968 Produttori del Barbaresco Stood up a few days and decanted. Too acidic for some, but I found some ple asure and interest- red cherries, tart, tannins resolved, tar and leather. B1968 Bodegas Riojanas Rioja Vina Albina Hugely popular with others. Round red cherry fruit, less acid than I expect ed, Earl Grey and cinnamon. An elegant old lady holding on with class. B+/B
Up early Thursday to catch the ferry to Portland, we had a B&B for night, n ice afternoon walking around. Then dinner at Drifter’s Wife- Sourdo ugh with dulse butter, chicken liver crostini, “String beans” (kind of a riff on Nicose, with tuna, tomat o, pickled egg- great dressing with yellow eye peas), roast chicken with f arro and spinach, coppa (not charcuterie, Japanese seasojned pork shoulder chop) with eggplant, dandelion greens, and squash. All good. Fun place, and we ran into some musician friends of Betsy. Cool list, we didh some BTG (I neglected to note vintages): Tripoz Cremant de Bourgogne- crisp apple and peach, lightly floral, dry and fun. B/B+ La Plata Cava Rosado- round berry fruit, pleasant. B/B- Knauss Trollinger- bright strawberry and raspberry, herby, light. B Cauzon Tempranillo-Sharp acids, tart berry fruit, not very long. Not a fan C+
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.