Betsy's sister joined us for dinner on the patio- a tortilla pie (salsa ver de, corn, queso fresco) , The 2014 Lucien Crochet Sancerre Rose was pretty darn delicious- crunchy/minerally cranberry fruit, hint of herbs, crisp and well balanced. B++
Long day for both of us, but Betsy threw together a quick Pierre Franey rec ipe of chicken with fresh tomatoes and tarragon as well as some pasta with pesto, while I sauteed some mixed greens.
2013 Badenhorst "Secateurs" Chenin Blanc cooking wine, but nice midbodied wine, clean apple flavors with a little ci trus, ripe and easy. Not sure I'd guess Chenin but pleasant and clean. B/B-2011 Rocca di Castagnoli Chianti Classico Plummy red fruit, soft and easy styled, but at least not New Worldy. B-
Last night I had a kind of very belated birthday dinner (11 months, long st ory). Kids of 3 couples were to serve, but adults did most of the cooking ( and slaughtering of poultry). When we got to Mark and Annabelle's we were greeted with olives, sausage, whitefish salad canapes, and the NV Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut. Very light styled bubb ly, citrus and green apple, fresh., B
First course was a cold zucchini soup with nuts and herbs. Three whites
2011 Grand Metaire (Entre deux Mers) Grassy, a little sour, getting tired.C+2001 Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling Clean, brisk, bright apple and lemon with notes of petrol, earth, and ginge r. Full, long, young. Holds up well over several hours. A-
2006 Jean-Noël Gagnard "Morgeot" Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Ripeness of the vintage shows, but there some balancing acid, this is seemi ngly fully mature, peach and pear fruit accented by almond. B+Main course were two young roosters that Alex dispatched that AM, roasted a nd served with baked tomatoes and onion, sauteed greens, and a brown rice/w ild rice combo. Two reds
2006 Drouhin Chassagne-Montrachet rouge Just a bit of that red Chassagne rusticity, red fruits, ripe and soft for D rouhin, a little smoke. B/B-1994 Paterno Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Mature but not tired, red fruits, saddle leather, dried rose petals. Tannin s resolved, good acids, tasty. B
Salad and a great cheese plate followed, with one more wine
2005 Belliviere "l'Effraie" Coteaux de Loir Sweetness has integrated a bit since last time I tried, this is like a slig htly soft demi-sec. Wool, apple, earth, orange zest. Good finish, Good with the stinkier cheeses. BFun night with close friends and good kids.
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.