WTN: 2 Macons, Loire Rose, Graves

A few nights of my cooking (Betsy had rehearsal/performances for a ballet workshop accompaniment) :

With grilled halibut in a citrus marinade with squash and salad, the 2007 Manciat "Franclieu" Macon-Charnay. No apparent oak, ripe pears and a little peach, a little more fruit forward/ripe than I remembered from some previous vintages. Nice classy Chardonnay, some mineral notes under the ripeness. B/B+

With butterflied chicken grilled with cracked spices (cumin, coriander, fennel), sausage, and eggplant, the 2009 G. Boulay Sancerre Rose. Reserved, approaching austerity at first, opens with air (and is even better on day 2). Starts off mineral/crunchy, but as it breathes some nice cherry meets strawberry red fruit takes off. Good acidity, weighty for rose, this could use a little time, but I really enjoy (especially on day 2, where some watermelon and herb notes come out). Will get more. B+

With hot dogs and kimchee, along with assorted leftovers, the 1989 Ch. Olivier (Pessac-Leognan). I've had this several times over the last 15 years, never that impressed, but quite enjoyed a bottle that Ramon brought to a "freestyle" offline couple of years ago, so took a chance on a cheap bottle recently. Bottle seems in good shape, but wine is what I remembered from past bottles- low acid, fat cassis fruit, a bit short on finish. Not much in the way of development, a fairly boring wine beginning to show its age. The takeaway- only drink Olivier with Ramon! B-/C+

Did I want to drink dull Graves all night? No, so switched to the dependable and lovely 2007 Texier Macon-Bussieres VV. Flowers, lemon, a little nectarine. Nice midweight, full fruit balanced by solid acids, long stony finish. Lovely. B+

Over the week there was also a bottle of 2007 Leitz Rudesheimer Klosterlay Kabinett left over from our Memorial Day party. Ever dependable, pit fruits and lime, gets limier over several days and holds well, with no oxidation. Very good for price. B./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. 

 

I enjoyed your notes. I've had some Macon recently and have a Sancerre rose' (I believe from Reverdy) in the lineup for June.

With hot dogs and kimchee, along with assorted leftovers, the 1989 Ch. Olivier (Pessac-Leognan). I've had this several times over the last 15 years, never that impressed, but quite enjoyed a bottle that Ramon brought to a "freestyle" offline couple of years ago, so took a chance on a cheap bottle recently. Bottle seems in good shape, but wine is what I remembered from past bottles- low acid, fat cassis fruit, a bit short on finish. Not much in the way of development, a fairly boring wine beginning to show its age. The takeaway- only drink Olivier with Ramon! B-/C+
 

That was, I believe, my last bottle of the 89 Olivier. I haven't come across any lately, but will keep an eye out for a bottle to confirm if drinking the 89 Olivier with me really ups the ante on this wine.

Do you remember if you got your bottles on East or West coast? This is always a ripe wine,but your bottle at Afghan Kebab was fresher (at close to 20 years) than ones I drank at 10 or 15 years old. Wondering if some shipment saw a bit of heat? Or if it's just luck (or your magnetic personality!)

Without a doubt, it's my magnetic personaly.

Kidding aside, it was neither East nor West Coast. It was purchased from HDH. Where they got the bottles from, that I don't know.