A local church has an annual gala (dinner and concert) to support its social justice programs, and we put together a table. But there were lots of conflicts, and the church postponed the event till Feb. But since we had a table of people arranged we decided to do a mini-fundraiser, invited the friends who were supposed to be at our table (and their checkbooks).
We started with scallop carpaccio and a little foie gras. Two rose Champagnes to accompany
NV Bremont Grand Cru Rose Champagne
Cherries, blood orange, chalk, and yeast. Full and long. B+
NV Chartogne-Taillet Rose Champagne
2008 disgorgement, biscuit and cherry pie, ready to go. B/B+
Betsy did a small concert- some Bach sarabandes, Casals’ Song of the Birds, a couple of short modern pieces) and then presented the meal- chicken bouillabaisse, Ottolenghi’s spicy carrots, and a salad with walnut and pears. I sent around a variety of wines
1996 Niellon “Vergers” Chassagne-Montrachet 1er
One of the good bottles, no PremOx here. Pear, apple and hazelnut, good acids, fresh, tasty if not the most developed/complex 20 year old. B+/A-
2015 Bart Marsannay Rose
Best match with the chicken. Bright acids, red plum, cranberry, and citrus zest, a little grassy edge, good food wine with a sweetness to the fruit that plays well with the heat and saffron of the dish. B
1989 Lagrange (St Julien)
Cassis and black cherry, cedar, tobacco, still some tannin. Pretty sturdy style of cassis, but just a little bit of a roasted/pruney note. B
1993 Daniel Bocquenet “Aux St. Julien” Nuits St. Georges
Not a producer I know much about, didn’t have high expectations, so not too disappointed when it came off shrill at first. But it actually calmed down and filled out- black cherry, smoke, earth. Good acids (no longer shrill), good length. Nice village wine. B++
Betsy had made a flourless chocolate cake, I had a couple of cheeses to serve. One more wine
2002 Huet Le Mont Moelleux 1er Trie (375 ml)
Spatlese to Auslese level sweetness, candied orange rind, damp wool, long and complex. A-
Fun night for a good cause.
The following night we went to a friend’s home, where the guitarist from his first band (50 years ago) was visiting from Uruguay with his wife. Nice people, nice evening. With appetizers the NV Jose Dhondt Brut Champagne -lighter styled, fresh apple and some bread yeast, good. B/B+
Dinner was a pot roast, kale salad, and more.
1998 Colombaio Brunello di Montalcino
Bigger styled, a bit tannic, quite ripe, somewhat international. B-
This is getting long in the tooth, and age is not treating it well. A little roasted/pruney at first, that accelerated quickly with air, VA and heat. C+/C
Nice people/
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.