Dinner last night was grilled citrus marinated mako with chutney, grilled sardines with an herb sauce, brown rice, and asparagus. Wine was the 2007 Pernot Bourgogne Blanc. As usual, a real winner- real Burgundy character, clean fruit, minerals, a hint (just a hint) of hazelnut. B+
After dinner, Rob and I headed to Fred's for local wine group. Theme was Loire, Fred had made some nice pork tenderloin, tuna salsa, lemon tart, plus had some cheeses and pates. I could have skipped dinner!
NV Taille aux Loups "Triple Zero" (unsure of appellation)
Dry, appley, crisp. OK version of non-dosage bubbly. B-
On to the blind wines
Red #1 -medium bodied, spicy, bright acids. There it is- that "potted plant" aroma I associate with Loire Gamay (I called my mom today to ask what those plants were she put in garage in winter- she says geraniums and begonias). Not as strong as some Loire Gamays, but there. But before I can guess, Fred says if I get variety he'd give me choice of any bottle in cellar. OK, so definitely more obscure than Gamay or Pineau d'Aunis. Turns out it's Pinot Meunier. Wouldn't have gotten that in 30 guesses! Nice wine, but that strange plant aroma that I seem to be sensitive to detracts a bit. B
2008 Puzelat Le Rouge Est Mis (just generic VdT, but Fred shows a Loire map -grown near Orleans)
Red Wine #2
Pretty easy to spot as Cab Franc - good acidity, solid red fruit. There's a little hint of brett, but well within my tolerance level. I guess Chinon. B
2006 Domaine de Bourg "Les Graviers" St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
Red Wine #3
My wine, no guesses from me. Everyone thinks Cab Franc, I confirm Chinon. Half of table is guessing 2002 or 2005, other half 1996 era. Clean red fruit, mostly integrated tannins, soft easy acids, some herbs. Drinking very well right now. A-/B+
2000 Breton "Les Picasses" Chinon.
Red Wine #4
Ripe red fruits, just a hint of green herbs, moderate acids. Pretty tasty. Fred and I both are certain it's Cab Franc, we're told no. Damn! Wait, it's unveiled. It's a Chinon! Turns out guy who bought it (not a geek) relied on a shelftalker that said it was Cab Sauvignon. Whew. B
2007 Joguet "Cuvee Terroir" Chinon
Red Wine #5
Biggest wine we've had so far, but nice balance of tannins, fruit, and acids. This is really young, but delightful. I'm thinking something like a Baudry Grezeaux, but it's the 2008 Breton "Clos Senechal" Bourgueil.
Nice showing, A-
Red Wine #6
Raspberries and cherries, a little green pepper, nice but not my fave of night. B. 2008 Baudry "Les Granges" Chinon
Red Wine #7
Big, ripe, soft, a bit sloppy. Is this a 2003 Cab Franc? C+/B-
2005 Gouron "Terroir" Chinon
A few whites to finish
Blind White #1
Big structure, a hint of sweetness (RS?), grapefruit. First sniff I think Chenin Blanc, but then I decide it's Sauvignon Blanc. Fred says "Dale knows this wine" so I guess Cotat (Sancerre with a little sweetness, as per a recent WLDG discussion). My best guess of the night, but as much social engineering as tasting. A-
2002 Pascal Cotat "La Grande Cote" Sancerre
Blind White #2
I'm thinking this Chenin Blanc is on the sweet side of demi-sec, but before I can voice an opinion or take a second taste, it's revealed as Romorantin, the 2005 Cazin "Cuvee Renaissance" Cour Cheverny. Not the first time I confused CB and Romarantin, probably not last. This is good, but seems less zippy than the 96 or 02. B
With Fred's lemon tart, he served a sweet white I had brought along. The1996 Sauveroy Coteaux du Layon VV is beginning to show some age. OK acidity, apple pie meets lemon sherbet, on the drier side of moelleux. A bit short. B-/C+
Really fun night with the guys. As always, I left my car to pick up this AM when walking dog. But bonus when an acquaintance spots me walking at 11:45 PM and she gives me a ride home, saving 20 minutes of walking (I don't mind walking with dog, but a bit boring alone!)
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.