Baching it for a couple days while Betsy went to PA to play a concerto. With shrimp, lentils, & green beans, the 2014 Thomas Labaille “Monts Damnees” Sancerre. Full, rich, balanced by good acids. Citrus, mineral, herb. Really lovely bottle of Sancerre, get more. B+/A-
With skate with capers, broccoli, and more lentils, the 2004 Huet “Clos du Bourg” Vouvray. Apples, wool, moderate length, not the most complex but plenty of life left. B
Saturday I went to a gala benefitting the social justice programs at a local church. I offered to bring a couple of wines to lure more folks to our table. Cocktail area had a silent auction and some nice nibbles, and couple of wines:
NV Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava
Light, crisp, easy, pear with a little smoke. Good for cheap bubbly. B-
2014 Pajot “Les Quatre Cepage.”
Round, flat, dull. C/C+
On to the dining room were we had seafood salad, beef roulade, and side vegetables.
2014 Domaine Isle Saint-Pierre
Fruity, easy, nondescript. B-/C+
1995 Montevertine Riserva (mag)
As a long term Montevertine fan I was disappointed when the younger Manetti decided to display his ugly views on race. Haven’t bought since. But what better way to use some of the wines I still have than to support social justice. Unfortunately, I caught a whiff of TCA when double-decanting before dinner- not 100% sure but enough to open backup. At dinner this was definitely corked (though one person really liked) NR
1995 Montevertine Il Sodaccio (mag)
This was also double-decanted, and showed beautifully. Black cherries, dried cherry, leather and just a hint of coffee. Subtle tannins remain, nice acids, good showing. A-/B+
1962 Ch. Lyonnat (Lussac St Emilion)
Dark fruit, smoke, good acids, no tannin left. There’s a little hint of ashtray but while this is tiring it’s actually pretty tasty, and popular. B
We adjourned to sanctuary for a nice program of strings (solo Bach, some duos, some movements from quartets (Hayden, Dvorak, Shostakovich) then back to dining room for dessert. I had donated some bottles of 1996 Fonterutoli Chianti, but couple hadn’t made it around. Fuller style of Chianti, black plum fruit, quite alive but needing a touch more acid for my tastes (tried from 2 bottles). B
Sunday I roasted a chicken and opened the 2011 Hureau “Tuffe” Saumur Champigny while I waited on Betsy’s return. Red plums, flint and smoke, juicy and fun. B+/B
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.