Saturday was a 2 party day. Worked and went to farmers market in AM, then hosted a birthday tea for Lucy the Bassett Hound’s 14. Her annual parties have ranged from 3 to 13 other dogs, this year tied for least (because we sent invite night before). But she was thrilled (don’t think she can count) to have a black Lab, a cockapoo, and a golden retriever visit. While the dogs played, the humans had tea, cheddar, apples, and wine. No one asked for white (so the Steinerhund is still in fridge) but the 2013 Mulderbosch Faithful Hound was opened. Like a modern styled petit chateau, black plum with some oak and sweet finish, tad short. I like my hound more. B-/C+
That evening we went to Marc and Annabelles. Marc just turned 50, but prefers to ignore it. So we just called it cassoulet night.
NV Pol Roger Brut Reserve
Nice lighter styled Champagne, red apple fruit with yeasty bread tones, fine mousse, nice verve. B+/B
To table, for a nice evening of cassoulet, salad, cheeses, and wines
2004 Luneau-Papin L d’Or Muscadet
In a really nice place, fresh citrus and pear over a saline/mineral base. Good acids, fresh finish. A-/B+
1999 Clos La Coutale Cahors
Good acids, still some tannin, black fruit is fading a bit and getting a little roasted. B-
1966 Ch. Beychevelle
Lovely showing. Fruit is still sweet, loads of cigarbox, earth, and herbs. WIth time the tobacco notes are more pronounced. A pointe, what I want in mature Bordeaux. A-/A
2005 Domaine and Selection Volnay
This was Marc’s but I’ve had a few of these. Super shrill when young, this is drinking better though still higher acid. Red cherries and raspberries, a floral topnote. B-/B
2010 Breton “Clos Senechal” Bourgueil
A bit tough to take at first, mostly tannins and green notes. With air it improves a lot, kind of classic midbodied Cab Franc. B
Fun group
Sunday we wanted something a little lighter, flounder with broccoli and eggplant (latter with a horseradish sauce, after a dish Marc and Annabelle described at Blue Hill Stone Barns). Independently of Marc’s D& S Volnay, I had discovered a forgotten bottle of the 2007 Domaine & Selection (Clotilde Davenne) “Blanchot” Chablis Grand Cru. I thought color looked a little dark, had a backup because I suspected premox, but it was ok. Very tart and lemony, some oaky notes. Not the most impressive Grand Cru but then I think it was $15. 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.