My brother was in NYC, he and his girlfriend took the train up to Dobbs for dinner with us and Betsy’s sister& BIL. Lots of fun with the dog and catching up before dinner.
Smoked bay scallops and hummus on cucumber, shrimp cocktail
NV Tarlant Rose Zero Brut Nature Champagne (2017 base, dg Jan 2023)
Snappy and lovely, good acids but with a sweet fruit base, would not have guessed no dosage. Bright and long, call me a fan. B+
2018 Goodfellow Chardonnay (Willamette Valley)
Still a bit of reduction here. Struck match and apple blossoms on nose, crisp pear on palate. As it airs and warms fills out a bit. Nice, not exciting. B
Flannery strip steaks, herbed potatoes, garlicky spinach, puntarelle alla Romana
2019 Colgin Tychson Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
OK I admit I liked this. Not my usual style, big CaliCab, but despite 14.6 abv doesn’t come across as hot. Cassis, a little blackberry, cocoa, firm but supple tannins. It’s bigger than the wines I usually drink, but not a monster, there’s some grace here. B/B+
1971 Ch. La Mission Haut Brion
Tobacco road! Rich ripe cassis fruit, cigarbox, tobacco smoke. Plenty of fruit, resolved tannins, really in a good place. A-
(I think some others preferred the Colgin to LMHB, but liked both)
Friday branzino, Chinese broccoli, rice, and the 2020 Guy & Yvan Dufouleur Bourgogne Aligote. I expect high acids with Aligote, this was in the screechy category. Thin with lemon fruit, tart finish. Too acidic even for me. C+
Saturday we went to Kath’s sister’s for her pre-birthday dinner. Snow was imminent, and dinner kept getting moved as Betsy’s niece and husband were flying in , and plane was delayed hours. We ended up eating without them, Cal had made a run to Arthur Ave that morning with Italian was the theme.
Bruschetta with assorted toppings (two kinds of mozz, prosciutto, pesto, a truffle spread)
Grongnet Blanc des Blancs Champagne
Bosc pear, Granny Smith apple, brioche., Crisp and reviving. B/B+
Cheese ravioli with a pear sauce,
2023 Monticello “Groppolo” Vermentino (Colli di Luni).
Light, hint of spritz, white peach and lemon. Light bodied, fresh acids, nice interplay with the dish. B
Then white Bolognese on fresh linguine
1965 Travaglini Spanna Gattinara
This was brought as a birthyear wine without big expectations,but it showed just find. Sweet dried cherry and cranberry, some leather and forest floor. On the light side, but a definite success for a hard vintage B+/B
2017 Castello di Gabbiano Cavaliere d'Oro Bellezza Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Richer riper style of Chianti, a little oak., plenty of ripe cherry and raspberry. A bit heavy for the food. B/B-
Then Sunday afternoon was a large gathering for Betsy’s sister’s 60th. Due to insurance venue Cal opted to not serve alcohol except for a bubbly toast, but I don’t think anyone minded. Nice assortment of local friends, old Met Opera colleagues, and birth network/doula folk.
If I had known the bubbles I would have brought Champagne.
2014 Raventos i Blanc de Nit Rose
I like this wine, but wouldn’t hold 10+ years after vintage. Fading strawberry fruit, some lemon curd notes, a bit too old but best bottle there. B-
NV Verde Prosecco
Sweet and appley, modest petillance, this is why I fear Prosecco. C+/C
NV Cupcake Prosecco
Sweet, empty, short. C-
It can be a great day without being a good wine day . Had a lot of fun. Because I had grazed all day and then had chili for dinner, skipped wine during Superbowl.
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.