Independence Day afternoon was mostly cloudy with a few periods of sun; the rain did hold off. In early afternoon we went to some friends for hamburgers, sausages, assorted salads, watermelon, and the reading of the Declaration of Independence. The wines:
2006 McWilliams Chardonnay (Australia) Oaky, a bit thin, not interesting. B-/C+
2006 DeLoach Chardonnay (Russian River Valley) I'm not a big fan of pineapple, but have enjoyed mango/pineapple salsa. However, I don't really care for mango/pineapple white wine, especially doused in vanilla extract and theater "popcorn butter" Not thin, though. C+
NV Villa Jolanda Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Straightforward and simple bubbly, light petillance, apple fruit. B-
2007 Edmunds St. John "Bone Jolly" Gamay rose Dry but with a sweet sense of ripe strawberries, a little flintiness, tasty and does well with a variety of foods. B/B+
2005 McWilliams "Hanwood Estate" Shiraz Sweett plums and brown sugar, low acid, I think others liked, I didn't. C+
1999 Albini Merlot (Russian River Valley) I carried this and the ESJ on theory it was a day for US wines. I'm not a big US Merlot drinker, but I've liked this one on that occasional time I needed to scratch that itch. Rich mocha and black plums, a little touch of graphite, a little smoke. Full-bodied, ripe but with enough acidity to balance, very good with a rare burger topped with tomato. B+
We left and went home, Betsy and her mom took naps. I grilled some skirt steak for a Thai salad, we had with a glass of the 2005 Cascina 'Tavjin Grignolino d'Asti. Rose-petal florality, crushed cherries with a lightly bitter edge. Easy going light wine, I like. B+
It was sprinkling, but word was the village fireworks were still on. We went to the porch of a friend's riverfront home, where a nice crowd of adults and kids enjoyed a nice show (we could see Nyack's, also). I also sampled:
2003 Domaine Saint Vincent Saumur Champigny A little trepidation as I find so many '03 French wines overripe, but this shows ok balance. Tobacco leaf and red fruit, a hint of soil, not bad but maybe beginning to show a little tired. B-
2006 Bogle Merlot I've generally found the Bogle Petit Sirah and Zins to be decent values. This however is a poster child for what is wrong (for my tastes) with most inexpensive CA Merlots. Sweet sweet swet, with a lot oak-chippy vanilla. Thick mouthfeel, short finish. C+
Long but friend-filled Independence Day.
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.