Mother's Day was cool and windy in NY. After the ceremonial breakfast and presentation of cookbooks, we did chores until we all went to a party at David's bosses' home. They're great professional bakers, but their cooking is serious too! Fantastic grilled pizzas, chicken, salmon, a sausage frittata, and assorted salads. The wines were mostly Italian, I missed producer on a ok Langhe in a decanter, but did try:
2005 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco
Surprisingly forward and open, ripe and easy, some tannins but not at all austere. Red fruits, tar, nice length. B+
2005 Dardano Barbaresco
Lighter, fresh acidity, low tannins, pleasant but a Barberesco on training wheels. B-
2003 Pomona Monferrato
Not sure of the blend , cassis (cab?) and black cherry, a hint of bell pepper, good acidity, some sturdy tannins. This could go a while. B/B+
We had to leave as Betsy needed to go to city, while she was out I dropped off some cheapie Syrah I was splitting with a friend, he opened a bottle. 2007 Rosenblum "Vintner's Cuvee" Syrah isn't really serious, but at a little over $7/bottle it was a good deal. Ripe, juicy, blackberries and plums, sweet with a bit of vanilla, low acid, modest tannins. Not what I typically drink, but a good party wine at the price. B-
I stopped at Stews for cheap lobsters, and steamed for dinner along with asparagus, corn, and a mache salad. Hey, maybe this is the time for a big buttery domestic Chardonnay. I had recently unearthed a bottle of the
2001 Chateau Burbank Chardonnay Reserve (Santa Barbara), a pre-commercial prototype for a garage Chard that I believe never was actually distributed. Quite lively, big, and with the expected butter and vanilla toast notes. I'm a bit surprised at the fruit profile - vividly sweet pineapple juice. This is a pretty good apertif, but I'm having trouble imagining it with the lobster. B
So I go with the backup, the 2008 Savary "Fourchaume" Chablis 1er.
I've liked Savary in the past, but distribution (it's a Kermit) in East seems limited. But recently this was under $30 at Cinderella, with free shipping. Green apple, grapefruit, and wet stones. Nice midweight, good acidity and good concentration/length. Solid classic Chablis. B+
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.