No wine Wednesday with a shrimp, corn and tomato dish
Thursday we got an invite to slap some noodles at my BIL (he had ordered the Xi’an Famous biang-biang kit). Fun, though my technique leaves much to be desired. Cumin lamb noodles, bok choy, etc. out on the patio. Cal used 1.5 out of 4 chili oil packs, still pretty fiery, and the Riesling went better than the dry wines.
2011 Leitz Rudesheimer Berg Roseneck Spatlese
Good acids for 2011, rich with tropical fruits, peach, and just a touch of petrol. Nice with the spicy lamb. B+/B
2020 Guimaro Mencia (Ribiera Sacra)
The dish’s heat is too much for this, but on its own a great value. Black raspberry and pomegranate, spicy herb notes, enough acid and fine tannins this could age (but my only bottle) B+,
2021 Lauverjat Pouilly Fume
I’ve enjoyed Lauverjat’s Sancerres, but this comes across as tart and super-grassy. B-/C+
No wine Friday (falafel as I sat on grass in Bryant Park while Betsy was playing NYCO Puccini tribute).
The Saturday wine event I was to attend was canceled due to illness, and Betsy was in city for another performance, so I gathered a little group for impromptu jeebus. Craig brought some nice cheeses, I had pate.
NV Krug Grande Cuvee 159er Champagne
Not a Krug fan, and this is 2003 base. Yet I actually liked more than I expected, tangy acids, not too heavy or oxidative, fresh finish (if not superlong). B/B+
2013 Laherte Les Empreinte Extra Brut Champagne
This I loved, zesty, fresh, and long, with pear and floral elements. Elegant mousse and long finish. A-
Then a little scallop/radish/avocado crudo
2008 Piuze Le Clos Chablis GC
I’ve had good bottles of this, however this one is super premoxed. NR
2014 Fevre Bougros Chablis GC
I thought this lovely- fresh, pear and wet rocks, long saline finish. 2 people thought too undeveloped, with one comparing to NZSB. Chacun a son gout! A-
2002 Christoffel Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese **
This is a bottle I set aside when gathering some sweet wines to sell due to a depressed cork. Dead, dead, dead (and maybe corked as well) NR
I did a very mixed grill- teriyaki salmon, quail, chicken sausage, and Tbone, accompanied by John’s excellent couscous.
1980 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)
Red and black currants, lots of herb tones, road tar, crackling acids, resolved tannins. Spicy and feisty, I like this better than a bottle a few years ago. A-/B+
1978 Heitz Fay Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)
Apparently a loose cork, shows pretty maderized, too bad as these can be great. C
1977 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)
Sweet easy fruit, a little celery seed and cedar, not very complex but quite alive. B/B+
1974 Burgess Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)
A little tired, maybe not perfect bottle, redder fruits and menthol. B-
1983 Ch. L'Evangile
Plum, cherry, and tobacco., with air a bit of mocha and smoke. Suave and long. A-
1982 Ch. L'Enclos
Chocolate covered cherries, coffee, and earth, quite fun. B+
Had to have at least one blind wine. Guys stumbled a little on vintage, but John got producer quickly after vintage settled. Cassis, leather, and a little barnyard note. As always fun. 1986 Ch. Meyney B++
Fun night.
Last night just Betsy and I, more crudo , grilled tuna (Meyer lemon/thyme marinade), green puttanesca pasta, & grilled squash.
2022 Baudry Les Granges
Juicy black raspberry and cassis, green tobacco leaf, nice earthy note. B/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.