Some friends we are traveling to Lisbon with next month came over for a planning trip Friday. An intense storm (inch of rain in 15 minutes and much hail), preceded them, but only drizzle when they arrived. Started with some conservas (squid and mussels) on rice crackers, then a Persian-esque chicken/rice dish with almonds yellow raisins, turmeric, cinnamon, dill. They brought green beans and a salad.
Louis Chalvon Grande Reserve Brut Champagne
Seemingly high dosage, sweet apple with a little biscuit, slightly coarse mousse, drinkable. B-/C+
2023 Baudry Chinon Rose
Good acids, wild strawberry and Rainier cherry, clear herbal note. Always dependable. B+
2022 Alzinger Durnstein Gruner Veltline Federspiel
Nectarine, pear, white pepper. Clean and spicy, but a little softer on acidity than my GV ideal. B
2021 Benoit Cantin “Emeline” Irancy
Red cherry, spice, but sa little bound up with some hard structure. B- for now
Really lovely Saturday, we ate on patio with 0ysters, grey sole, bucatini with (sprouting) cauliflower, anchovy, and almonds, salad
2022 Leirana Albarino
Grapefruit, apple blossoms, saline note nn good finish, fine acids. lemon cest, good acidity but with a nice round finish. 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.