On a rainy Wednesday, with roast chicken, 2004 Pavelot “aux Guettes” Savigny-les-Beaune 1er.
Most of the ‘04 Greenie Meanies have faded, but so has some of the vibrancy of the black cherry fruit. This tastes older than 15 to me, though it is pleasant. B-
Betsy got back Thursday, made lobster/corn/tomato salad as beautiful weather and patio dining returned. . The 2017 G. Boulay “Clos de Beaujeu”Sancerre had excellent acidic balance, crisp apple and lemon fruit, and a long rocky finish. B+/A-
With bulgogi, kimchi, rice, bok choy, the 1996 Edmunds St John Syrah. Ready, willing, and able. Warm plum fruit, smoky, some bacon. Fully mature but not sliding at all. B+/A-
Betsy’s sister joined us Saturday on patio for oysters, Spanish mackerel, eggplant with za’atar and tzatziki, caprese, arugula salad
1981 Hospices de Beaune “Cuvee François de Salins “ Corton-Charlemagne (Favin)
A pleasant surprise (part of cheap mixed lot where I wanted rest). Moderate acids, butterscotch, pear. Totally mature but with some verve. B/B-
2018 Bonneliere(Plouzeau) “Rive Gauche” Chinon Rose
Better showing than I remembered, ok acids, strawberry and cherry fruit, decent. B-/B
Last night we headed over to friends’ for dinner on their deck.
Starters were smoked bluefish canapes, marinated mushrooms
1977 Ch. Pape-Clement Blanc
Another mixed lot bonus. Well, this was alive in the sense it wasn’t oxidized, but it was flat and low acid. Honey, citrus zest, forest floor. C+
2017 Chaland “La Perriere” Vire-Clesse .
Pear, pit fruits, flowers with decent acids. B
Main was rotisserie duck, with Chinese broccoli and potato salad
2014 Ch. Loudenne
This seems to be retreating into a closed state, sturdy tannins standing out more than the dark fruit and light vanillin oak notes. B-
1990 Jadot Corton-Pougets
Ripe dark berries, coffee, herbs/spice. Some tannin, a little blocky. I just wish this had more acidic zing. 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.
