WTN: Wines in Maine & NY- PN, Malbec, Riesling, etc

Couple I forgot from Sunday night group dinner

1999 Clos du Coutale Cahors
Still a bit of tannin, quiet black fruits, some smoked meat and forest floor. Good acids , but not very long. B

2013 Red Newt Dry Riesling
There’s just a hint of sugar, but pretty dry (unlike a couple other “dry” FL wines that have been at least traditional kabinett). Pretty floral nose with hint of petrol, white pit fruits on palate. A little more acidity for crispness and this would be a pretty serious Riesling, but this is a bit soft. B/B-

Monday the quartet did a concert premiering pieces by the composer fellows of the festival, then everyone convened as more lobsters were boiled than I’ve ever seen (40 or so for 20+ people).
I helped with cracking for the inexperienced or squeamish, and managed to sample some wines:

2013 Baileyana “Firepeak” Pinot Noir
Black cherry, cocoa, a distinct candied note I don’t care for. B-/C+’
2014 Barraud “Alliance” Pouilly-Fuisse
Fuller style of Macon but with good crispness, hint of oak, good length. B+/B

2009 Alberdi Rioja Reserva
Raspberry and cherry, spicy, but a little hot. B-

Tuesday was the main Vinalhaven concert, afterwards we met downtown for dinner (Sichaun tofu was main). I had a glass of the 2015 Dominique & Janine Crochet Sancerre, showed just as it did Sunday (solid but unexceptional).

Wednesday we took ferry back to mainland, they had concert that evening in Belfast in a very cool art center (Waterfall Arts). . Reception had cheese and wine, mostly supermarket stuff and more Alberdi. I was driving Betsy to Portland afterwards but took a small sip of a Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio and was shocked to find it quite drinkable- sweet pear, good acids. Not very long or complex, but in the world of $12/mag supermarket wines a winner. B-

I left Portland at 3 AM to beat traffic and get to work Thursday. That night I was beat, picked up a supermarket rotisserie chicken (moist but too salty as usual), had with arugula salad and pasta with pesto. Wine was the 2014 Enderle and Moll “Liason” PN. Nose of flowers and cranberry, with a little exotic touch of sandalwood. Pretty red fruits- crunchy raspberry and cherry. Light tannin, lively acids, good stuff. A-/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.

[David M. Bueker]

Is the Enderle and Moll a Fass selection?

Is the Enderle and Moll a Fass selection?

No, not on Lyle's list (I should be, but need to cut purchasing anyway)
Got this from Posner (Grapes the Wine Co). Von Boden import strip

I've always had good luck with the wines from Barraud. Over the years they have held their own with many of the more prestigious locations in Burgundy.

1999 Clos du Coutale Cahors
...Good acids , but not very long. B

If I remember correctly, 1999 was not the best year in Cahors, but still nice that you kept this for so many years. I don't think I've had a Coutale so old. They were so cheap and easy to drink young and never seemed overly-complex or long, so they got pegged into a short-term drink.

2014 Enderle and Moll “Liason” PN. Nose of flowers and cranberry, with a little exotic touch of sandalwood. Pretty red fruits- crunchy raspberry and cherry. Light tannin, lively acids, good stuff. A-/B+

Nice to hear about a new vintage. I've been enjoying the clarity of the fruit while I'm here in Germany, but am still undecided about whether I'll hunt them down when in the US.

nice that you kept this for so many years.

well, to be honest I kept this bottle a few weeks- CSW offered up some last month

I am with Rahsaan here, would never have thought that Cahors would age! Has 20% Merlot right?

I am with Rahsaan here, would never have thought that Cahors would age! Has 20% Merlot right?

Not sure of exact blend. But think Rahsaan was only talking about Coutale, Cahors in general can definitely age. Lots of tannin young ("black wine") and need age. Coutale is generally a bit friendlier when young

Sorry, I meant the Coutale of course.