Betsy’s sister joined us for dinner on the patio- a tortilla pie (salsa verde, corn, queso fresco) , The 2014 Lucien Crochet Sancerre Rose was pretty darn delicious- crunchy/minerally cranberry fruit, hint of herbs, crisp and well balanced. B++
Long day for both of us, but Betsy threw together a quick Pierre Franey recipe of chicken with fresh tomatoes and tarragon as well as some pasta with pesto, while I sauteed some mixed greens.
2013 Badenhorst “Secateurs” Chenin Blanc
cooking wine, but nice midbodied wine, clean apple flavors with a little citrus, ripe and easy. Not sure I’d guess Chenin but pleasant and clean. B/B-
2011 Rocca di Castagnoli Chianti Classico
Plummy red fruit, soft and easy styled, but at least not New Worldy. B-
Last night I had a kind of very belated birthday dinner (11 months, long story). Kids of 3 couples were to serve, but adults did most of the cooking (and slaughtering of poultry). When we got to
Mark and Annabelle’s we were greeted with olives, sausage, whitefish salad canapes, and the NV Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut. Very light styled bubbly, citrus and green apple, fresh., B
First course was a cold zucchini soup with nuts and herbs. Three whites
2011 Grand Metaire (Entre deux Mers)
Grassy, a little sour, getting tired.C+
2001 Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling
Clean, brisk, bright apple and lemon with notes of petrol, earth, and ginger. Full, long, young. Holds up well over several hours. A-
2006 Jean-Noël Gagnard “Morgeot” Chassagne-Montrachet 1er
Ripeness of the vintage shows, but there some balancing acid, this is seemingly fully mature, peach and pear fruit accented by almond. B+
Main course were two young roosters that Alex dispatched that AM, roasted and served with baked tomatoes and onion, sauteed greens, and a brown rice/wild rice combo. Two reds
2006 Drouhin Chassagne-Montrachet rouge
Just a bit of that red Chassagne rusticity, red fruits, ripe and soft for Drouhin, a little smoke. B/B-
1994 Paterno Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Mature but not tired, red fruits, saddle leather, dried rose petals. Tannins resolved, good acids, tasty. B
Salad and a great cheese plate followed, with one more wine
2005 Belliviere "l'Effraie" Coteaux de Loir
Sweetness has integrated a bit since last time I tried, this is like a slightly soft demi-sec. Wool, apple, earth, orange zest. Good finish, Good with the stinkier cheeses. B
Fun night with close friends and good kids.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. 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.