After a heatwave Thursday was a bit cooler, a nice night for Loire wines on the patio. I was rushing too much while prepping, put some lamb on grill (for some reason I find leg of lamb is fine at room temp), got distracted, and had some rather charred lamb. Oh well. As folks arrived I had out pate, patela de bellota , linguica, cheeses, & smoked mussels.
I blinded the first bubbly. Took a while to get to California
2009 Schramsberg Tognetti Vineyard Brut
This was a whatthehell in a mixed auction lot, and turned out to actually be pretty good. Fine mousse, pear with a hint of tropical fruit,. A gingery note. A little bitter note on finish, but not unpleasant. B
2016 Bereche Rive Gauche
All Meunier, very tasty. Quite floral, with pear, apple blossoms, and almonds, nice structure, B+/A-
MV Krug Grande Cuvee 170er
Cathleen blinded others, no guessing from me as I had already seen it. Apples, brioche, and pastry dough. Pretty good acids, I liked even though I’m not generally a Krug-fan. B+/B
Oysters on half shell (Mystic and Fat Babys) , shrimp (with cocktail sauce and a line-fish sauce), smoked mackerel
2008 Pepiere Briords Muscadet
Lovely, light, and lithe. An unheralded vintage showing quite beautifully, with limey fruit, seashell, and salt air. Long finish. A-
2014 Dagueneau Pur Sang
Full framed, peach and grapefruit, a touch of newly mowed lawn, I like but suffers from being paired with excellent ‘14 Cotat. B+/B
2014 F. Cotat Monts Damnes Sancerre
Still showing very young,. Zesty citrus, pit fruit, zingy acids, great length. Fresh, lively, with a green edge behind white fruit. Zesty citrus and white pit fruit, good acids, great length. No stereotypical grassy or catpee notes, but still what I'd regard as classic SB character - fresh, bold, with a green edge behind white fruit B+/A-
Dean’s Mystery White- snappy acids, wax and wool, everyone got to Chenin fast but took a while to get wine. Apple, blood orange, chalk along with floral and lanolin notes. - 2016 Guiberteau Breze Saumur Blanc. B+/A-
2008 F. Cotat Monts Damnes Sancerre
Still plenty of life, delineated, vigorous, lemon drops on seashells and wet rocks.A-
2005 F. Cotat Chavignol Rose
Citrus and strawberry, smoke and coriander seed. The body and complexity of a good red yet with the snap and joy of lively rose. A-
Steak, way overdone lamb, wild boar sausage, andouille, potato salad, broccolini, squash
2010 Olga Raffault Picasses Chinon
First bottle corked, but owner had brought a backup. PnP, Solid tannins and acids, cassis fruit with a big dose of pyrazines (which are ok by me) B
2010 Guiberteau Les Motelles Saumur
My first Guiberteau red. Seemingly pretty ready, very floral, light on its feet. B/B+
2010 Ch. du Hureau “Tuffe” Saumur-Champigny
I somehow didn’t write anything down for this (probably grilling) , but remember liking.
Dean’s Mystery Red - Red plum and black cherries, tobacco smoke, and a strong minty note.
I actually guessed Poyeaux (but only after several others’ guesses were shot down). Delicious
2009 Rougeard Poyeaux Saumur-Champigny A-
Craig’s Mystery Red - I first thought a fully mature Medoc, black plum and cassis, touch of leather, not super long but tasty. Wrong continent, 1987 White Rick Napa Valley Claret B/B+
My mystery Red - I think someone guessed Italian then someone got CA, Cathleen called out Phelps. Double -decanted about 3-4 hours earlier, but keeps opening up through night. Plenty of structure, cassis with tobacco and eucalyptus, long ferric finish. No hurry on these! 1986 Phelps Backus Cabernet Sauvignon A-/B+
1995 Olga Raffault Picasses Chinon
Solid and a little stolid, structure more acid than tannic, red berries, leather, and barnyard. B
1993 Breton Perrieres Bourgueil
Black raspberries, integrated green pepper, hint of chipotle, bonfire. I think I liked more than table, in the zone for me. B+/A-
1990 Domaine de Grand Tour Bourgueil
Nasty, medicinal, brett and some other bacterial taint. D
2008 Huet Le Mont Vouvray DemiSec
Honied, apricot, Ruby grapefruit, and citrus peel. Just off dry, bright and long. A-
Really fun (but late!) night
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.