WTN: I don't usually like Cremant de B. or Bdx 2nd wines

No wine Tuesday, Wednesday Bobby Flay chicken with a spicy green sauce and spinach.
I usually yawn at Cremant de Bourgogne, but the NV Bruno Dangin “Cuvee Blanche” Cremant de Bourgogne. Apparently this plot is adjacent to Aube, and in 1800s was considered part of Champagne. Quite lovely, citrus and apple overlaid with baking bread and chalk. Fine value, could pass for BdB Champagne (or 1er Chablis with bubbles). B++

Betsy had been in Maine for Valentines, so we had our dinner Thursday. She opted for oysters and Flannery ribeye, with baked potato, sauteed pea shoots, and salad. Some Cremant with the oysters, then with the steak the 2000 Bahans Haut-Brion. Not usually a 2nd wine buyer, but this is really quite nice. Fully resolved tannin, rich cassis and plum, accented with tobacco and gravelly soil notes. 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.

I usually yawn at Cremant de Bourgogne, but ...

I think this type of note "I used to yawn/scoff at..." is going to become an increasingly common theme for many of us! With climate change boosting ripeness, increased viticultural knowledge, and rising prices, we have to find something!

I've had pretty good luck with second wines of good houses. I've had Pavillon Rouge several times (Margaux), and Les Forts de Latour (have one of the 1990s left that I should get into).

There are problems with getting too blinded by famous names though. Jenise and I know someone that became notorious for pulling seconds out, most of them poor - he just saw the name of the label and figured it must be a bargain