WTN: Father's Day weekend wines(FR, US, etc)

With salmon Thursday, the 2018 Thomas-Labaille “Authentique” Sancerre Rose. Snappy, mineral, tasty. B+

No wine Friday, we went with some friends to Carnegie Hall to see Betsy’s sister’s final performance with the Metropolitan Opera orchestra (fine performance, Mahler’s Ruckert-Lieder with Elina Garanca, and Bruckner’s 7th Symphony)

Saturday we hosted a party to celebrate a pair of retirements - Betsy’s sister and a friend who’s a teacher. Pretty much a perfect night on patio- mild, light breeze, low humidity. We started with charcuterie and the NV Barnaut “Authentique “ Grand Cru Rose Champagne
Beautiful clean red cherry and strawberry fruit, citrus zest, full-bodied, lively. Fine value B+/A-

(what are chances of 2 wines named “Authentique “couple days apart? )

I handled the first courses, a scallop/radish crudo and then butter poached/tarragon lobster & shrimp.
1991 Stony Hill Chardonnay
I’ve had variable bottles from this lot but liked this one. Ripe apple/applesauce, almond/nutty, some orange zest, vanilla, good. B/B+

2010 Drouhin Marquis de Laguiche “Morgeot” Chassange-Montrachet 1er
Lovely and balanced apples and pear with orange zest and a little oak. Fine length, WOTN A-

Main was bucatini all'Amatriciana along with an Ottolenghi recipe for broccolini, green beans, and snow peas in a tahini dressing

1987 Kenwood Jack London Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Red plum and black raspberry, more acid than tannin, decent length, holding on well if not especially exciting. B

2012 San Carlo Brunello di Montalcino
Well, some people liked this. Hot, manipulated, and sweet, this is Brunello? C/C+

A wine event planned for an out of town guest had to be scrubbed, so we changed plans and were able to attend two graduation parties Sunday. The first featured a soft taco bar with pulled pork and chicken, Fred’s amazing gravalax, and lots of other food. I sampled a few wines:

Escudo Real Vinho Verde- I don’t know I’ve ever had a rose VV before. Light easy and fun. B-
Clovis rouge (Vin de France) - guessing this is Rhone or Languedoc, red fruit with a brambly underbrush note, nice balance. B
2016 Windisch Riesling Kabinett (forgot to take down vineyard) - a bit plodding, sweet, nice flavors, needs some zip. B-/C+

At second party I had a tiny sip of a 2016 Mendoza Vineyards Malbec Gran Reserva and a Mionetto Prosecco, neither worth a note but very happy to be at the party as I’ve know grad since she was 2 days old (had a good burger)

Late Father’s Day dinner that night, a thyme-marjoram double pork chop sousvide, with the
2016 Coudert/Clos de la Roilette “Griffe du Marquis” Fleurie. I’m going through these fast but they are so good. Dark fruit, smoked meat and coffee, floral/. Ripe and full but quite balanced. A-

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.

[David M. Bueker]

I am now in the Stony Hill club, and am totally up in the air as to how to handle the Chards. Do I bury them? Drink them at age 10? No clue.

Goodness me 1991!

I envy you that concert. I'm a fan of Garanca and love those two works. Who was conductor?

I find Stony Hill to be hit or miss after 20 years (though the hits are usually multi-base) but dependable until them. Probably 10-20 is my optimum. I don't really enjoy young,but most of my experience isn't recent.

Tim, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, who took over as musical director couple years ago. Good conductor, and popular with orchestra. I have to say I wasn't too excited to learn Bruckner was on program, but enjoyed (though a little loud/bombastic are times- huge orchestra with 4 Wagner horns! ). The musicians in our party thought incredible writing, especially cello parts_

2016 Coudert/Clos de la Roilette “Griffe du Marquis” Fleurie. I’m going through these fast but they are so good. Dark fruit, smoked meat and coffee, floral/. Ripe and full but quite balanced. A-

When you catch something in a zone, why not go for it.

Earlier vintages seemed to require time.

Tim, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, who took over as musical director couple years ago. Good conductor, and popular with orchestra. I have to say I wasn't too excited to learn Bruckner was on program, but enjoyed (though a little loud/bombastic are times- huge orchestra with 4 Wagner horns! ). The musicians in our party thought incredible writing, especially cello parts_

Nézet-Séguin is winning golden opinions wherever he works. Alas I have never heard him in the flesh and very little on record. I must remedy that. Being liked by the orchestra while insisting on the highest standards is a delicate balancing act.

I am a passionate Wagnerian and love Bruckner too through all his great length and occasional bombast. Your musician friends are right to point out the gorgeous writing for the cellos in the 7th.

[Being liked by the orchestra while insisting on the highest standards is a delicate balancing act..

He is apparently a nice guy, but I think as real pros the musicians appreciate he is clear and precise (with Levine's health issues he got less so in end I believe).

Yes, Rahsaan, I'm holding other vintages.