I forgot one from weekend- 2008 Qupe “Bien Nacido Vineyard The Good Nacido Block X” Syrah. I don’t have a lot of Qupe experience (and that mostly white) but picked this up as some posters cited as a non-Parkerized producer of Syrah. This was not what I expected- dark color, roasted and toasted on nose, ripe blackberry fruit buried under tannin and oak. Very tannic finish. I thought a little hot but turns out 13.8. I thought I might be tasting something in the ESJ range but instead this is like hot climate Petite Sirah. Big and not my style. C+ (sure those who like style would rate much higher)
Monday David joined us at Betsy’s sister for a family party. Cal made ricotta/thyme/honey and garlic/parmesan bruschetta; I did prosciutto/fig rolls, cuke with smoked salmon and a curry spread, and potato/creme fraiche/roe canapes. Main course was a red lentil soup with a Brussels sprout salad.
2014 Red Newt Dry Riesling
Not bone dry, but just a trace of RS. Lighter styled, crisp acids, apple and peach fruit, not very long but a tasty apertif Riesling. B
2014 Bouchard “Les Clous” Meursault
Little if any oak notes, ripe pear fruit, hint of butterscotch and honeycomb. Good acids for such ripe fruit. B/B+
1988 Ecard “Narbantons” Savigny-les-Beaune 1er
I thought this might be corked at first but it was just some bottle funk that blew away. Raspberry & cranberry fruit perks up with air, but there is some oxidation edging in. Still, shows well and holds on, with the fruit accented with spice and sandalwood. B
Last night everyone had big days and were too bushed to cook. Betsy’s mom took us to Harpers for dinner. I had fried cauliflower and roast chicken, Betsy had fried oysters and salad, her mom a burger. Owner brought us a plate of robiola ravioli with black truffle. I had driven and declared this no wine night, sad as it turns out if was half-price bottle night and they have a fine list (ESJ Syrah, Arnot Roberts Chard, some Trousseau, and more)
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.