We were all supposed to go to a seder Friday night, but my MIL wasn’t feeling well so stayed home. Scallops, green beans, bulgur, salad, and:
2012 Terrebrune Bandol Blanc
Quince and pineapple, lower acid, a bit flat. Disappointing. B-/C+
2017 Ch. Graville-Lacoste (Graves)
Honeysuckle and citrus blossom on nose, just a hint of grass, on palate apple and lemon. Light and straightforward. B/B-
A violinist who used to be in a trio with Betsy was visiting with her family. She does a lot of new music and tango, so Saturday an interconnected group of classical/jazz/alternative musicians (2 guitarists, 2 cellists, 2 violinists 2 drummers, 2 pianists 1 clarinetist- I was only non musician in bunch) came for dinner.
We started with coppa, fromage de tete, home smoked trout and salmon, & deviled eggs
NV Pierre Peters Cuvee de Reserve GC BdB Champagne (mag)
This one has a QR code but only takes to PP site- strange
Bright, dry, crisp and elegant, yum. B++
Sat down for an amuse of scallop seviche
2014 La Barbotaine (Champault) Sancerre
Grass, apple, lemon, more grass, a bit clipped on finish. C+
2010 Jager Achleiten Riesling Smaragd
Lemon, lemon, lemon, ginger, some rocks. Despite the citrus notes round & fleshy, but tasty. B
We had made leg of lamb, cardamom/herb rice, & asparagus; others brought tofu and vegetable casserole, salad, quinoa with prosciutto and chevre, dan dan noodles, spicy sesame noodles, olive bread with mozzarella, and more
2004 Giovanni Rosso “Serralunga” Barolo (mag)
Decanted about 2-3 hours before service. Red and black cherry , rose petal, tar. No hurry but drinking well. B+/B
1979 Ch. du Tertre (Margaux)
Another good showing. Bright acids, fully resolved tannin, black plum and currant with tobacco and earth. Good finish. B+/A-
2001 Ch. Lagrange (St Julien)
Young but approachable, some manageable tannin, cassis and red plum with some overlay of vanilla, toast, and cocoa. Fairly plush but not soft. I preferred du Tertre but think table fave. B+
2016 J. Vineyards Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
I needed a bit of red for a sauce with the lamb drippings, but was loath to use any of above. So opened this (an apparent host gift from some earlier event). Fine for sauce, not my style- ripe and very sweet, strawberry jam, a touch of heat (14.7 isn’t so high for CA but this was noticable), just not fun (others liked more). C+/C
Easter just a small gathering at SIL’s. Charcuterie, smoked salmon, deviled eggs. Then pork roast, potato/fava/artichoke dish, Brussels sprouts, rainbow carrots
2015 Donnhoff Riesling
This is the estate QbA (AP 01 as David said sometimes more than one bottling). Somehow 1st bottle out of a case, what have I been waiting for? Sweet apple, blood orange, ginger, and minerals. Offdry but sweetness matched by vibrant acids. Great for level., B+
2008 Desjourneys “L’Interdit” Vin de France
I think this is Fleurie that was denied appellation. Spicy/herby, hint of barnyard, red berries. Nice and interesting wine, happy to have tried at about $26 on closeout, but I don’t think this would be a value at its suggested price. 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.