Friday I picked up some wine at storage, including a mixed case of white Burg where I knew odds were against most (I basically bid on the 2 bottles I wanted, added $10 for rest). Dinner was scallops in chive sauce, broccoli, and barley, the 2002 Latour-Giraud “Les Genevrieres” Meursault 1er Cru was pretty oxidized, though not totally undrinkable. Pear and butterscotch fighting with the cider notes. C/C+
Replacement bottle was the 2005 Michel Bouzereau “Les Grands Charrons” Meursault. This was plenty fresh, if not especially complex. Apple, pear, a little floral note. B
Saturday I hit the fishmonger at the farmer’s market, had shad roe, grilled bluefish, brown rice, and salad. Wine was the 2010 Gerard Boulay “Monts Damnes” Sancerre. Big, balanced, ripe fruit but bright acids, grapefruit with orange zest, chalky mineral finish. Long. A-
Sunday a drummer friend who just had shoulder surgery was able to imbibe again, we had him and his wife for dinner. I shucked some oysters and put out shrimp wrapped in nori, with the
NV Camille Saves “Carte Blanche” Brut Champagne. Dry, crisp, lively, peach and apple with some light brioche notes. B/B+
Dinner was duck breast and grilled trumpet mushrooms on pea shoots and arugula with a bacon/ramp dressing, with blue cheese mashed potatoes on the side.
1997 Edmunds St John “Rocks and Gravel”
From recent library release. I think this was first vintage of R&G, replacing the Cotes Sauvages. Less meaty than the Cotes Sauvages of the early nineties, red fruits, some herb, some anise. Tannins resolved, ready to go. B/B+
2001 Jean Chauvenet Nuits St. Georges
Still some tannin, good acids, modest black fruit, not very long. 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.