Friday Dave's girlfriend joined us for dinner, I steamed some cheapo lobsters. grilled some corn, made salad, and opened the 2006 Louis Jadot Marsannay blanc. Very ripe pear fruit, some oak/vanilla notes, lacking in verve, just a bit on the flabby side. Not a buy again for me. B-/C+
I only ate tail and smaller claw of my lobster, saving some room for snacks at wine group meeting later in evening. I didn't save enough room, as Roger served at least 5 kinds of sausage, as well beef, chicken, and grilled veggies. Agreement is supposed to be we just do grazing food (cheese, hummus, charcuterie); he has raised bar. But it was fun sitting out by grill and sampling his fare as we tasted roses blind:
actually, first we had a non-blind pink bubbly, the Bernard Bremont Champagne Rose, but I've written enough notes on this, suffice to say it was my WOTN.
Wine #1
Pale color, but nice midweight on palate, floral nose, pretty strawberry fruit. I quickly guess Provence, but not exactly the hardest call. Alex said he picked up because he find Les Baux (as a town) so spectacular, but then realized one of the winemakers was a distant cousin of his. 2009 Mas de la Dame (Les Baux de Provence)rose . B/B+
Wine #2
Much darker color, my guess is Italian, wrong. Solid weight, sweet fruit, a bulkier wine that some really like, but I find it well made but not what I'm really looking for in rose. 2009 CastellRoig Rosado (Penedes).B-
Wine #3
I'm back in south of France on this one. Herbs, strawberries, watermelon, nice pretty enjoyable wine. 2009 Lancyre rose (Pic St Loup) B
Wine #4
No guesses from me, my wine. No one comes close, fun to come from left field sometimes. Actually very good, floral nose with raspberry and strawberry fruit, light, good acids, surprising depth. First time I've ever sprung a Greek wine on group! 2009 Spiropoulos "Meliasto" Rose
(100% Moschofilero from label). B
Wine #5
Cherries, strawberries, orange zest. Bigger than most of preceding wines. My first though is Sancerre rose, but then I see bottle is flute. Do they make rose in Alsace?I know they have PN. Nope. Basque? Nope, American. 2009 Robert Sinskey Rose of Pinot Noir. B
Wine #6
Pale, light bodied, quiet strawberry/cranberry fruit, herbs, a little dilute. Others like more than I do, though I do correctly get Provence. 2009 Ch.
Montaud rose (Cotes de Provence). B-/C+
Fred has brought a bottle of red, too. Also blind. Whew, some poopy aromas. Earthy, road tar and rubber, red and black fruits. Fred said I've have before, I wonder is this what happens to the Rimbert St Chinian with age, he says no. I'm next guessing Grenache/Mourvedre, maybe a CdP. No, it's the 2005 Le Galantin Bandol. I've had earlier vintages, don't remember as much funk/brett. B-/C+
Fun night, even if I am occasionally lost in some of the World Cup talk (group is mostly European).
(edited to add word "rose" for clarity/searches
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.