Some friends (human and canine) visited Friday, we grilled some D’Artagnan Berkshire babyback ribs (dry rub, with commercial bbq sauce on side for those that wanted), grilled potato salad, and stirfried Chinese broccoli.
2010 Domaine Villalin Quincy
classic tart Sauvignon Blanc, grapefruit and gooseberry, good acids, quite good length. B+/B
2010 Lapierre Morgon
S version. Took a while to open up, but does so nicely. Easy cherry fruit, solid acids, cinnamon/mace spice notes, a bit of damp leaves/moss. I like more than some others do (who prefer their wines “higher octance”). B+
2006 Chalk Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
15% and it shows. “It’s certainly a good representation of the style” (when the style involves motor oil and blackberry jam). Very very generous for the guest to bring this (sure well above her normal wine budget) , but not what I gravitate towards. C+/C
Saturday we trekked over the hill to an Indian themed dinner (to be followed by slides from one couple’s recent trip to India). Betsy made aloo gobi pulao, raita and a mango mousse dessert; the hosts made lamb korma, several chutneys, dal, and more; and there were purchased samosas, bread, etc.
NV Castellroig Cava
Clean, fresh, good value bubbly. B
2010 Dauvergne-Ranvier Cotes-du-Rhone Blanc
Floral, a tad oily, decent acidity, maybe a bit dilute, but nice flavors. B-
2010 Nikolaihof "Hefeabzug” Gruner Veltliner
A hint of spritz, classic green pea and white pepper, good length, very good GV. B+
2010 Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Kabinett Riesling
Sweet citrus, this is a lovely combination of limeade approachability (easy for anyone to love) and mineral crystal depth (geek love!). My best bottle of this yet. A-/B+
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2006 Havens Merlot Reserve
Ripe, a bit of vanilla, but more balanced than the previous night’s Chalk Hill, Californian without being overblown. B/B-
1987 Ch. St Jean Cabernet Sauvignon
We’ve had discussions in my tasting group about directional changes in CA, and I generally consider 1985-1990 as the transition period. The 12.7% abv is a clue this is more old style. Double-decanted before we went over. Leather, cedar, muted dark fruits, despite the low alcohol the fruit has a light hint of pruniness that keeps it from being classic, but solid mature CalCab and happy to have more. B
Sunday as the deluge started I had an all day meeting, while Betsy had concert at the Salmagundi club in city. I got home first, by time she made it back I had prepared salmon, broccoli, potatoes, and a caprese salad (early, but the hothouse tomatoes had looked fairly good).
NV Godme Rose (375)
Toasty, good crispness, strawberries and baked apples. B/B+
2008 Pacalet Gevrey-Chambertin
Crunchy red fruits, good acids, an intense herbal note (Betsy says “incense” then hedges as there are many kinds), this to me tastes more of “natural wine” than it does Gevrey (but then of course my idea of Gevrey is formed from more conventional producers). I like this, and am happy at CSW price, but wouldn’t buy at normal tariff. B
Tonight we postponed meatless Monday tlll Tofu Tuesday and had roast sage chicken, salad, rice, aloo gobi pulao,and the 2010 Clos de la Roillete (Coudert) Fleurie. Pretty wine, floral and minerally, crisp, lively, buy more. 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.
