WTN: Dog's birthday, w/Faithful Hound and Dog House

Sunday we celebrated Lucy the Basset's 5th birthday. She was a rescue dog, and probably only 9 months when we got her, but best we can do is go with anniversary of her arrival with her "forever family."

We had a birthday tea, with chips, mango salsa, tomatillo guacamole, sausage, cheese, and peach pie. A couple of themed wines were served:

2002 Mulderbosch "Faithful Hound" (Stellenbosch).
Ripe black fruit, a bit oaky. Calms down a bit with air. As oak becomes more background noise, some earth, leather, and a hint of burnt rubber.
Could pass for $20 Medoc from a ripe vintage. Could use a bit more acidic verve, but pleasant "Bordeaux blend." B



2005 Dog House "Charlie's Chard" Chardonnay
I've liked the Faithful Hound before, but this was just bought based on name, I had low expectations. Back label emphasized vanilla, so I was expecting oaky. But it wasn't really- not much obvious oak, and surprisingly good acidity. The problem however was an edge of sweetness to the tropical fruit, that really seemed to dominate. I couldn't escape the sugar. B-/C+





There was also of course rawhide and doggie snacks. Canine attendees included 3 Yorkies, 2 Pugs, 1 Spaniel, and 1 English Bulldog. Fun was had by all:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welc ... kI&notag=1


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

[David M. Bueker]

Woof!

Great pics, whoofie indeed!!

http://www.jaunted.com/files/admin/illdog.jpg

I take it that that's Lucy in the second photo: what a cutie! Has it really been over 5 years since we had dinner with you at your place? My, how time flies, Dale.

Mark Lipton

no, Lucy is the Basett, she's behind the Spaniel (Courtney)in first photo, and kissing Daisy the bulldog in second. Yep, it's been too long- we didn't have Lucy (why I agreed to buy a house!), and you didn't have Andrew. Hopefully you, Jean, and Andrew can come to NY! Lucy loves kids (and is gentle).

[Jenise]

So Lucy's actually all brown and white? I don't believe I've ever seen a Basset that was only two colors.

[David M. Bueker]

Can we get a tasting note on English Bulldog from Lucy?

Jenise, tri-colors are probably most common, but there are quite a few other patterns. Lucy's red/brown and white is not unusual. We have gone to the Board Waddle, a rescue fundraiser where 500 bassets go down Ocean City boardwalk. Probably half tricolors, quarter red and white, rest others (including solid white ones!).

no, Lucy is the Basett, she's behind the Spaniel (Courtney)in first photo, and kissing Daisy the bulldog in second. Yep, it's been too long- we didn't have Lucy (why I agreed to buy a house!), and you didn't have Andrew. Hopefully you, Jean, and Andrew can come to NY! Lucy loves kids (and is gentle).

Yep, that's what I meant (I initially goofed writing it, hence the edit). Jean's got a standing speaking invitation from NYU, so we might be out your way some time, but it's hard to find a time that works.

Mark Lipton

We had a birthday tea, with chips, mango salsa, tomatillo guacamole, sausage, cheese, and peach pie. A couple of themed wines were served:

You can usually trace a bad wine back to a bad food match. I would have had Shepard Pie, sauteed Rover Sole and finished with a nice piece of Hound cake.

Can you believe it took me 10 minutes to think of the perfect menu?

Walt