Betsy is in Maine for festivals for a while longer, so Saturday I convened a meeting of the Rivertowns Folks Whose Spouses are Out of Town (plus one actual couple and one extra dog). Nice night on the patio. As folks drifted in we enjoyed Al’s roasted pepper salsa, and a couple of cold beverages
NV Jose Dhondt “Mes Vieilles Vignes” Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc Champagne
Nice showing. Bright, full, Granny smith and pear with fresh baked croissant aromas, long finish with chalk and minerals. Fine mousse. A-/B+
2016 Chermette/Vissoux “Griottes” Beaujolais Rose
Floral, Rainier cherry and a little lime zest, light and easy. B
First sitdown course was scallop ceviche with pea pesto
2013 Ch Beauregard Pouilly Fuisse
Fat, low-acid, melony, not very long. B-/C+
2014 Pommier “Fourchaume” Chablis 1er
Citrus and chalk, lemon topped with mineral, very good. B+
Then mixed grill (skirt steak, chorizo, sweet Italian sausage, bratwurst from our butcher), charred leeks with caper/lemon sauce, squash with za’atar, salad. That was followed by some cheeses Alex had brought (Muenster, aged gouda, goat) , plus Nancy’s berries, cookies, and ice cream.
2002 Jadot “Clos des Ursules” Beaune 1er Cru
Pretty tight at first, opened nicely through the evening. Black cherry with some sandalwood, mushroom notes. Could use a bit more time but this is heading to a nice place. B+
2015 Jane & Sylvain Bourgogne
Slightly lifted nose, raspberry and cherry fruit, hint of beets. Good acids, midbodied, good value. B
2013 Anne Gros and JP Tollot”les Fontanilles” Minervois
Bought this curious about a Burgundian take on the Languedoc. No apparent oak, but this is riper than I expect, cassis and blackberry, 13.5% but tastes hotter. B-/C+
Sunday was mackerel in a wine/mustard sauce, plus sauteed cherry tomatoes with arugula
2015 Van Volxem Alte Reben Riesling
Citrus and nectarine, bright acids, mineral. In a nice place already. B+/A-
2015 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier
Sec-tendre, peach and canteloupe, moderate acids, good value at under $9. B/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.