Up to Croton for round 1 of Pascal Cotat. I brought some charcuterie (smoked duck, saucisson sec, prosciutto, pate Campagne) and John had a generous spread of cheeses out.
Larmandier Brut Zero Cremant (2017 base, 5 years on lees)
Lemon curd, apple, floral. Very generous on palate for no dosage. Fun. B+
Marguet Shaman 19 (magnum)
Brioche, pear, and smoke, nice length. B+
2012 Pascal Cotat Monts Damnes Sancerre
I liked this more than most. Rocks and citrus, though not too long, B
2012 Pascal Cotat Grande Cote Sancerre
Exotic nose, tropical fruit, seems to lack freshness. B-
2009 Pascal Cotat Monts Damnes Sancerre
Ripe, approaching hot, fleshy. B-
2006 Pascal Cotat Monts Damnes Sancerre
This is more like it. Wet rocks, bracing acids, charming white and citrus fruit. A-/B+
2006 Pascal Cotat Grande Cote Sancerre
A little rounder, but still quite tasty B+
2005 Pascal Cotat Grande Cote Sancerre
Debate over whether this was PremOxed or just boxed, but I’m not drinking it. C-
2001 Pascal Cotat Monts Damnes Sancerre
Delicious, firm and focused, I thought could pass as a ringer for a good SB based white Bordeaux. A-
2001 Pascal Cotat Grande Cote Sancerre
More Sancerre-y, grapefruit and rocks. A-/B+
A Champagne break while John cooks
Ponson 1er Cru (2021 base)
Fresh fun and lively. B++
2002 Corbon Blanc de Blancs
Mike brought along this, just arrived (and recently disgorged). Rich hazelnut notes, apple, campfire, chalk. Beautiful. A-
John served delicious salmon with a salsa as well as asparagus
The roses (If I remember correctly, the 2006-2011 were VdF, Chavignol Lot 2011 etc)
2011 Pascal Cotat Chavignol Rose
Lots of zip, strawberry punch with a lot of herbs,I liked B+
2009 Pascal Cotat Chavignol Rose
Rich, a little heavy, but tasty B/B+
2006 Pascal Cotat Chavignol Rose
Something was off here, REALLY off, this was horrible- oxidized meets bacterial. Hopefully not a representative bottle. D
2005 Pascal Cotat Chavignol Sancerre Rose
Pretty advanced, but unlike 2006 recognizable as wine. C/C+
2001 Pascal Cotat Chavignol Sancerre Rose
OK, whew. Dry, snappy, herby, young. As good as you’ll ever get in 20+ year old rose. A-
A couple of blind reds
#`1- a bit lifted, a little funk, redder fruits, a bit dank I dont think I ventured a guess before it was revealed as the 1966 CVNE Imperial Rioja GR. Not a pristine bottle, but it improved in decanter. B
#2 no guesses as totally maderized. 1975 Torres Gran Coronas
We decided this was a triple Root day
2001 Pascal Cotat Grande Cote Cuvee Speciale Sancerre
Hightoned and possibly corked, not for me,. C+
2000 Pascal Cotat Grande Cote Cuvee Speciale Sancerre
I liked this, the sugar has integrated into a sweet grapefruit profile but wine basically dry, exotic and interesting. B+
OK, not the most consistent evening, but the highs were pretty good!
Then last night I grilled a Flannery 60 day ribeye, served with spinach, pasta, salad, and the
2018 Fiefs de Lagrange. I seldom buy 2nd labels but if I do it seems like often it’s Fiefs. The ripeness of the vintage shows (this is 14%) but it’s not overblown. Ripe cassis, lots of coffee notes, some firm tannin, but easy on palate. I paid more for shipping ($7) than I did for wine ($6.50), decent value. 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.