Wednesday was cool and drizzly, and I figured no way they'd have the final jazz concert of the year by river (I don't go when inside at community center). But at 5 it had stopped, and I drove past park and saw them setting up. Hurrah! So Betsy adjusted dinner timing and we headed to river. She had made a delicious chicken with peanut sauce, served over cabbage/cilantro slaw and lemon rice. I brought leftover Matrot Bourgogne and the 2008 Maison Brulees (Michel Auge) "L'Erebe", a VdT from the Loire. I seldom buy unknown producers based on retailer blurbs, but I trust CSW (and maybe was ordering late at night after a couple glasses!). Oops, this is a crown cap under capsule! I used foil cutter to get it off. Fairly substantial wine (Cab Franc and Malbec) , big black plum and currant fruit, moderate tannins, good length. Damp earth and a little hint of meat, quite nice. A real sense of freshness. B++
Turnout was much smaller than usual, and it did actually drizzle a couple times, but we enjoyed the samba band (Ginga Pura Nova York). I actually poured out the last of the Matrot so I could use the bottle for the Erebe- you can't put a crown cap back on!
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.