Betsy had a concert Wednesday night, felt like a glass of wine when she got home, poured her the 2005 Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling. I smelled but didn’t try till 2 days later, but it held up fine - a rather rounder/broader CFE, ripe nectarine and lime, touch of incipient petrol, tasty. Not a classic, but fun. B+/B
Thursday we joined another couple for dinner at Prune in the East Village. We shared snacks (pistachios flamed in raki, fried sardines). I had risotto al salto with sliced veal kidney, followed by deviled chicken on escarole. Betsy had eggs with chanterelles followed by duck breast, we shared a red chicory salad. I had brought a bottle of 2006 Jadot (Gagey) “les Baudes” Chambolle-Musigny 1er. This was pretty tight, though it opened a bit through night (smallish stems didn’t help). At first it was mostly tannin and acid, by meals end you could glimpse the black cherry fruit and a touch of sandalwood. I thought some ‘06s were in an open period, but not this one. Hold. For drinking now B-, but plenty of potential.
Squid and shrimp, bok choy, ramen with a miso broth, and the 2006 Remi Jobard “Le Poruzot Dessus” Meursault 1er. This is generally the less well regarded Jobard, but I’ve enjoyed in the past across several vintages, and don’t think I’ve ever had a premoxed bottle. This isn’t poxed either, but it’s very oaky, and on the ripe/round side. One can do better (I switched to the CFE, which was a better match with the food anyway). B-
Over to some friends for roast beef , root vegetables and brussels sprouts, spinach
2000 Pierre Usseglio Chateauneuf-du-Pape
I was afraid of another overripe ‘00 CdP, but this lists at 14% and tastes like it. Ripe but not overripe red fruits, forest floor/mushroom, a little pepper. This was $20 at PC. B
2000 du Tertre (Margaux)
Black cherry and plum, floral, some pencil lead. Medium bodied, modest acids, tannins resolved, ready but not tiring. B+
With grey sole, lentils, leftover bok choy and spinach
2010 Drouhin “Folatieres” Puligny-Montrachet 1er
There’s some good materials underneath, but the pox is creeping in. Color is a bit dark, there's caramel and oxidation on the nose, what a disappointment. C+ for this bottle
2010 Marquis de Laguiche/Drouhin “Morgeots” Chassagne-Montrachet 1er
I really could have drunk the Folatieres, but didn’t want to. This was a big step up, no pox here. Beautiful pear and citrus, elegant touch of oak, floral and bright. Lovely balance. 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.