at a May Day party
2010 Hart Cellars Pinot Gris
Howie had given me this, I thought a NYS wine was appropriate for a party where hostess is minister leading a permaculture/locavore project. Nice to spend more time with this, full bodied, almost hint of tannins, good length, acidity. B+/B
2009 Scharzhof (Egon Muller) Riesling QbA
Also took along this - crisp, citrus, minerally, long, perfect on a warm day. B+
There was also a forgettable Crianza Rioja (that I've forgotten) and a terrible Monkey Bay SB.
2009 G. Boulay Sancerre Rose
artic char with a meyer lemon/chipotle marinade, grilled yellow squash,green salad, grain salad
good match, medium to full bodied, this could age but nice now in a strawberries and flint mode. B+
2009 Lauer Fass 6 Senior Riesling
dhal with spinach over rice
I liked the Barrel X a lot, but this is even better. Halbtrocken, very long, electric, mineral, zippy. Damn, buy more Lauer. A-
Tuesday friends and their pup joined us for dinner, we started with carrot hummus and the 2007 Ferret PouillyFuisse. Friends liked, but I found this a little diffuse and unfocused compared to a previous bottle. Acceptable. B-
Main course was skirt steak bulgogi (had in my cooler at RossFest, never got to last package), eggplant and squash with peanut sauce, grilled fava beans, salad. Two reds:
2008 Anthill Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)
Thanks to David Bueker. Bright, just a hint of petillance, tangy acids, light to medium bodied., pretty cherry fruit. I got just a hint of smoke, but then I knew about the "controversy." I questioned others, and neither Nancy or Betsy (each of whom commented on smoke in a previous 08 Mendocino without knowing of fires) noticed. B/B+
2009 Paul Mas "Clos des Mures" Coteaux du Languedoc
Oaky, really ripe syrah notes edging at blueberry, not my style but popular, and probably a good value at $13 if that floats your boat. B-/C+
Wednesday night assorted leftovers, and the 2009 Errazuriz Carmenere Reserva. This is a Chilean bottling that some friends generously brought back for me (they liked the lost grape of Bordeaux story). Big, sweet, ripe, this would be hugely popular at a non-geek event. Lots of fruit, sure this will add vim to my vinegar. C+B-
Thursday I thawed the other half of the artic char, grilled and had with leftover dhal and salad. Tried the 2007 Boisson-Vadot Bourgogne Blanc.
This is a producer that has some (loose) link to Coche-Dury, that is always mentioned by those selling, but I see little resemblence. Fairly high acids, crisp,clean, but not very long. B-
Friday ahi tuna grilled with rosemary, a slice of spinach/cheese pie someone had brought over after my being hurt, salad, and the 1998 Drouhin "clos des Mouches" Beaune 1er. Damn, this hits the spot. Solid fruit, sturdy acids, the last vestiges of tannin holding on. Beautifully balanced, cherry and raspberry fruit, mushroom and autumn leaves, just a faint hint of cow pasture in the background. Nice texture, finish. A-
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.