Lobster was on sale, so steamed a couple chicks, made some spinach, and opened the
2006 Littorai Heintz Chardonnay. Pear, lemon zest, and just a touch of oak. The oak seems to come out a bit more with air, but in a nice hazelnut meets spice way. Not a ton of acid, this might be a little past peak, but still quite tasty. B+
Friday was duck breast, quinoa, salad and the 2007 Mugneret-Gibourg Vosne-Romanee. I was frankly disappointed when opened- tart cranberry and raspberry, all acid, seemingly short finish. But revisited later that night better, and much better on day 2. Still red fruit and acid, but more balanced, with sandalwood and spice and longer minerally finish. B- to start at best, on day 2 B+. 2007 is supposed to be the drink now vintage but I think I'll hold remainder a bit (or open earlier in day).
With Betsy away (and me on airport run on Memorial Day), held my usual party on Saturday instead, with a smaller crowd. I made
Chips with mango salsa, guacamole, spicy tomato salsa
Carrot salad
Grilled quail with 5 spice and orange marinade
Grilled red snapper
An assortment of sausages (hot dogs, Toulouse, Joe Biden, sweet and hot Italian)
Elotes
Others brought ribs, gravlax, brats, broccoli/cauliflower/apple salad, cherry/rhubarb pie, and more
2017 Lapalu Beaujolais Villages Vieilles Vignes
Spicy, fresh, snappy raspberry/cherry fruit. Juicy and good. B+/B
1998 Ch. Dalem (Fronsac)
Served blind, Fred got 90s Bordeaux right away. But no one expects Fronsac (or the Spanish Inquisition). Good black plum and cherry fruits, soft acids, still a bit of tannin. Mocha and mushroom notes, mature but not tired. Great for level. B/B+
1971 Barisone Barolo
Exhibit #451 in “I’m opened this old Nebbiolo and it seemed tired but what a difference air made.” Stood up for a month, decanted, after a couple hours really a pretty lighter-styled wine- bright red fruits, dried cherry, rose petal, on the delicate/elegant side of older Nebbiolo. B+/A-
1995 Altesino "Montosoli" Brunello di Montalcino
Plums, quite pruney, alcohol sticking out a little, showing its age. B-/C+
2000 Taittinger Brut Champagne Millesime
Creamy, bready, good mousse, pretty apple pie fruit, ready to go. B+
2018 Keller Trocken Riesling
Tart peach and green apple, some floral notes, grapefruit with air. There’s a chalky note to mineral finish. Very fine for level. B+/B
2015 Donnhoff Riesling QbA
Fair amount of sweetness, limeade meets orange zest, fun. B
2013 de Courcel Bourgogne Blanc
Fat, needs more acid, sweet pear fruit but a touch of oxidation beginning to show. B-/C+
2015 Bzikot Bourgogne Blanc -corked
I still had some tenderloin and sausages that had never made it to the grill, so Sunday a few more friends came over. Got stuff off the grill just before skies opened up, we had a nice dinner in dining room- sousvide steak, sausages, quinoa salad with avocado, plus some leftover salads and quail.
NV Bruno Paillard “Premiere Cuvee” Brut Champagne (July 2012 disgorgement)
I’ve only had the Nec Plus Ultra from this producer before, which I liked but thought too expensive, but this is delicious and a fine bargain. Apple/pear with brioche and a little creme brulee, elegant mousse, long finish. Will get more. B++
2018 Arnot Roberts Rose
Strawberry, watermelon, some minty herb. Nicely balanced, fun, but getting up there on rose price scale. B
1989 Ch. Chasse-Spleen
Nice showing, mature but not tired, still some tannic backbone, nicely balanced. Cassis with a ferric note, a bit of leather, good finish. I love this vintage. B++
Picked up Betsy at airport on Memorial Day, home and then a long walk with dog before a nice meal on patio- lobster rolls, hot dogs, cucumber
2017 Joseph Colin “La Chateniere” St. Aubin 1er Cru
Sweet pear, citrus, mineral finish, light oak notes. Tasty, but getting up there for St Aubin. Not a buy-again for me 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.