Betsy made a summer version of the old Le Cirque pasta primavera Monday, served with the 2009 Edmunds St John "Bone Jolly" Gamay rose. A variety of red fleshed fruits- cherries, strawberries, watermelon- but more centered on some mineral and herb notes. Refreshing, no signs of reduction in my bottle, clean. B+
Yesterday was Dave's 22nd, and we had his girlfriend, another couple of his friends, his aunt, and his cousins over for dinner. She tried to make some of David's favorite foods while paying attention to other's eating habits. As people arrived, we had out a simple platter with soppresata, hummus, cheese, etc. Just before we sat down I planned on a quick toast, with some cava I had sent to NH with Betsy that wasn't used. Except when I opened something red came out- apparently when I made her concert week goodie box I had mistaken a Lambrusco for a Cava with a similar dark label. Too bad I didn't have out with the soppresata! NV Venturini Baldini "Roncolo" Lambrusco. Off-dry, pretty froth, blackberry jam and red plum. Simple and easy. B/B-
First course was lobster rolls, with the 2008 Savary "Fourchaume" Chablis 1er Cru. Nice hefty Chablis, apples, lemon, and chalk, classic and appealing. B+
Main course was a stroganoff salad, basically a room temp version of beef stroganoff (but Betsy made a large bowl to which she didn't add the grilled skirt steak as we had 4 non beef eaters) along with an absolutely smashing vegetable torta (squash, eggplant, asiago, tomato, etc) and salad.
1988 Ch. Hortevie (St Julien)
I had a backup (R-Segla), but this was surprisingly dark and fresh looking as decanted. I was worried it would show it's age, but it had handled 22 years well. The issue was not age but just complexity- this was quite foursquare and lacking charm. Good dark cassis fruit, still some tannins, but rather short and lacking in the development would would want from mature St. Julien. If you served blind and told me a 6-10 year old Bordeaux AC would have seemed reasonable. C+/B-
2008 Guion "Cuvee Domaine"
A nice sloppy kiss of a wine, fruit forward and easy going, fresh red fruits, good acidity, earthy with air. B/B+
Betsy's sister brought a carrot cake, and we also enjoyed the
1988 Jos. Christoffel Jr. Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese*. Applesauce, peach, herbs (one young lady thought it was distinctly dill, I was getting a greener toned herb more tarragonish), petrol, light hints of botrytis. Nice pleasant wine, but I'd have appreciated a bit more acidity (the few '88s I've had before had good zip) and a little more minerality or complexity to finish. Still, holding well and no sign of downturn. B
(this is Christoffel-Prum)
Not a standout night for wine, but nice to share the time with Dave and family and friends who love him.
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.