Betsy had a big day with rehearsals and instrument repair, I said I'd do dinner. Salmon in a teriyaki marinade, grilled grey squash (bought on a whim, tasted pretty much like zucchini), cauliflower with pimenton, with grilled clams as the appetizer.
Clam wine (which later traveled to wine group as non-blind opener) was the 2007 Matrot Bourgogne Blanc. Very satisfying, clean and minerally with white fruit, corn meal, and floral aromas. Good acidity, clean, nice texture. B+/B
Salmon wine was the 2006 Rossignol-Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin (375 ml). Good acidic balance, earthy red fruit, decent finish. Not exciting but solid. B
Picked up Rob and Fred and went to Marc's for local wine group. We usually do reds, but theme tonight was Chardonnay. Blind as always.
Wine #1 (after we had some Matrot - not blind for me, my wine). No PremOx (I had a backup bottle in car). Big, stony, still some oak sticking out. Rich, with both fat and acidity. Fred did guess Meursault. I liked, but liked more at a revisit at end of night, when it seemed a bit more giving, more mineral, and less oaky.. 2001 Bouchard "Les Perrieres" Meursault 1er. B+/A-
Wine #2 - once again, no guessing. While we were waiting for last arrival Fred and I discussed Sherry-Lehmann. I said "expensive, but sometimes great pricing, like the Roulet Bourgogne I almost brought." From expression on his face I knew he had brought it. Good wine- white fruit, chalk, a little butterscotch. Baby Meursault. 2007 Guy Roulot Bourgogne Blanc. B+
Wine #3- obviously not Burgundy, in a Bordeaux bottle. Grapefruit, slightly unripe plums, straw/grass. I'm flummoxed- if I didn't know theme, I would have guessed Sauvignon Blanc. It's the 2007 Montechiari bianco (Toscana). C+/B- (other liked more than I)
Wine #4- Thinner than preceding wines, sweet apples, no apparent oak, a bit short. My guess is VdP Chardonnay from the south of France. 2008 Princess Ann Macon-Fuisse (new Burgundy app for me),. C+
Wine #5 -Nice, good stony mineral notes, pear and hazelnut, I guess Puligny. 2005 Pernot Bourgogne Blanc B+
Have a couple left, will drink soon, in good place.
Marc decided we needed a red, and appeared with a decanter. Solid fruit, with a hint if caramelly thing that hinted of madeirazation, but that seemed to blow off. Fresh fruit, medium bodied, with some earth, cigarbox, and leather. Seemingly a pointe, I guessed 1985 Bordeaux, maybe St Julien. He said older, I said 1978. Older, he says. Then I realize it's the 1970 Calon Segur (St Estephe), where we had split an auction lot. Showing well, not fading. A-
Fun night (and thanks to Rob for paying for cab home!).
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.