With Bobby Flay recipe for chicken with mint sauce, the2018 Domaine des Billards St Amour. As expected a riper rendition, but not OTT. Black cherry, espresso, smoke, alcohol in background (despite 14.5), more tannins than I used to in St. Amour. Good length, fun wine if not exactly typical. B+
Friday was first gathering on my local non-serious wine group since COVID19 hit. I spent some time with a tape measure positioning chairs, watched weather, made sure everyone knew protocol (masks when not in seats, bathroom, etc). Stuff directly from grill - Wild boar sausage (D’Artagnan), chicken sausage (Aidells), chourico, Shrimp - plus one prepared plate per person -cheddar, camembert, Mistoa (like Ossau-Iraty) Humboldt fog, mint sauce, bread, olives. The first 1.25-1.5 hour were great, then the unforecast storm blew in. We had to divide into front porch group, and table umbrella group to maintain distance. We had fun though.
I told everyone I could furnish wines, but 2 brought blind whites
Fred’s blind- I got Loire on first guess, but then totally whiffed with Chenin guess (some waxiness). But got Muscadet on next guess, he spilled beans before I tried to guess producer. Full, citrus fruit, wax, gunflint, seashell. Lovely and in great place. 2012 Pepiere Clos des Briords., A-
Rob’s blind- My first thought (and guess) was cool climate Chardonnay . Never got a second guess. Green apple, lemon, just a hint of grass (but clearly not SB). 2018 Qu'est-ce que c'est Aligote. B
NV R de Ruinart Brut Champagne
Fuller style, good crispness, brioche and citrus, fine mousse. B+
2019 Plouzeau Rive Gauche Chinon Rose
Light, sweet cherries, I don’t think I would have guessed Cab Franc blind. B-
2019 Weszeli “Eden” Rose (Niederosterreich)
Light, a hint of spritz, at least it’s wet.C+
With oysters,, whole grilled red snapper, and potato salad, the 2014 G. Boulay “Comtesse” Sancerre. Young and powerful, just a fantastic Sancerre- citrus, apple blossoms,chalk, and wet rocks. Long, lively, and lovely. A-
Pork tenderloin, kohlrabi/carrot, salad
2009 Camerano “Terlo” Barolo (375 ml) - the worst corked wine I’ve had in years.Whoa.
2016 Hirtzberger “Kirchweg” Gruner Veltliner Smaragd
Big, powerful, but a bit ungainly. Kind of overwhelms, all structure. . I have one more and hope it loosens up B- for drinking now
For our Zoom group, the 2010 Glantenay “Clos des Chenes” Volnay 1er.. This seems a little tighter/stiffer than the 2010 Glantenay Santenots I had last week. Fruit starts off darker, gets redder with air. A little spice, some mineral on finish. I think just needs a bit of time. 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.