Shrimp & radicchio over angel hair and salad with the 2015 Pepiere “Briords” Muscadet. Lemon and grapefruit, a little flinty note, good acids. B++
1994 Meridian Chardonnay Reserve(Edna Valley). Used as a cooking wine. Mature but not dead oxidative notes, low acid, oak still sticks out! This was the last bottle of a mixed/eclectic lot of Chardonnay, basically free as my bid was only based on what I’d pay for the Stony Hills (and a pittance for 3L of S-Cutrer).
Friday was local broiled “Porkerhouse” , red cabbage, and salad. The 2016 JM Burgaud Cote du Py Morgon was red fruit and spice, moderately juicy, some light tannin. B/B+
Saturday was sauteed scallops, mixed mushrooms (lions mane, oyster, velvet piopinni, maitake) with Marsala over rye toast, and winter squash. The 2010 Boulay “Monts Damnes” Sancerre. Chalk, pear, and citrus zest. Beautifully balanced, long and poised. A-/B+
Some delicious Korean chicken, napa cabbage, & rice with furikake on Christmas eve, but I abstained from wine as I was driving for our annual Christmas party on the streets. Late night, but most of snow held off till we were home at 2:30.
Three hours sleep, then up to unload vans and then get ready to host Christmas dinner. When our guests arrived we greeted with charcuterie (pate forestier, cecina) , smoked salmon with creme fraiche and capers, and cheeses. Greeting wine was the NV Billecart-Salmon Rose. Not sure, but think I’ve cellared this for at least 5 years, Rainier cherry, herbs, with a touch of citrus and nutskin. Good balance, nice length. B+
While folks wrapped and fried vegetarian and pork wontons (and others sang and played carols on piano), I served a birthyear wine for a couple of folks, the 1959 Ch. Grand Monteil Bordeaux blanc. Very herbal, waxy, some nutty oxidation notes but alive. Tastes like a cross between old Chenin and old Muscat, but without the Chenin’s acids. B-/C+
To table for potatoes with creme fraiche and salmon roe, followed by steamed snow crab and king crab (I bought the snow, Betsy said not enough, when I went back sold out and so paid 2X for king). .
2007 F Cotat “les Monts Damnes” Sancerre
Full and richly styled, but solid acidic backbone. Apple and white peach with a touch of grass and orange zest, long finish, very satisfying A-
1993 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne
Pear, melon, hazelnut and flowers. Medium acids (round for a ‘93), good finish. B+
Main was goose cooked on top of root vegetables (turnip, parsnips, carrots),
salad
1988 Ch. Pape Clement
Black fruits, tobacco and leather. Some tannin remaining. Not as fresh as some bottles, but good. B/B+
1995 Ch. Beychevelle
Takes a while to open, best at end of night, cassis fruit with a little vanilla and a hint of incipient cigarbox. Young and long. A-/B+
Becca had brought a chocolate cake, as I’m not a dessert eater while others had cake and played recorders & piano I moved to the couch with the dog, where I mostly stayed awake.
Good time had by all.
On Monday with leftovers the Beychevelle & Corton Charlie showed well, while the Pape-C showed tired.
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.