Friday was my turn to host my local non serious wine group. As folks arrived (remarkably promptly, a French guy arrived 3 minutes early!!! And all 7 by 4 minutes of designated time) I offered pours of the previous night’s 1994 Ch. de Fieuzal Blanc , which showed even better on day 2.
Theme was Island wines, and I started with a non blind white
2017 Envinate Benje Blanco
Tangy, bright, dry pit fruit with lime and tapenade. Fun. B+
Had out some cheeses (including a Pecorino Sardo and Isle of Mull cheddar to be on them), charcuteries, and Torres fried egg chips, along with bread and GF crackers
Blind White #1 Pear and lemon, seashell, full and leesy. Someone guesses Sicilly and then I went to Santorini since is reminded me of the upper cuvee Hatzidakis. 2018 Sigalas Kavalieros Assyrtiko (Santorini) B+/A-
Blind White #2 Meyer lemon and peaches, floral, maybe a slight hint of petillance; I pretty confidently guessed Sardinian Vermentino, it was neither! After Rob said Italian island I got, but only because it was one I knew other than Sicily and Sardinia.2023 Casa d'Ambra Ischia Blanco. B+/B
Blind White #3 = softer than others, a tad sweet, but with nice apple and citrus, I had no clue this was another Assyrtiko. 2023 Santo Assyrtiko (Santorini). B/B-
Blind Red #1- light color, raspberries and strawberries, light herbal (basil notes), fresh and easy. I guessed Sicily/Frappato, then knew producer when I saw bottle shape 2022 COS Frappato, B+/B
When #1 unveiled, Roger said “Hey I brought same wine” so we didn’t have to guess Blind Red #2 . But turned out it was 2023 COS Frappato, and what a difference a vintage can make. Much heavier/denser, cranberry and kirsch, sure if blind I would have never gotten Frappato. The guys who love Shafer and modern Brunello preferred the 2023. B-
About here I served the ropa vieja canaria (though in addition to usual shredded beef and chicken I had added some excellent chorizo), rice, and spinach
Blind Red #3 my wine so not guessing, the main course eventually led guys to right islands.
Light and slightly cloudy, red currant and cranberry, spicy. 2017 Envinate Benje Tinto B+
Blind Red #4 Big and structured, I had no clue it was another Canary wine, thought maybe a bigger Sicilian. Dark fruit, coffee, a bit tannic. Good just not what I expected, 2022 Los Bermejo Lanzarote Tinto Negro (weird shaped bottle with a little spout, worlds smallest label). B
Fun night with close friends.
Saturday was almost summery, though it clouded up and cooled off. Salmon with garlic butter, radiatori with an aspargus/pea/mint cream sauce, salad, and some oysters to start.
2022 Bzikot Bourgogne Blanc Cote d’Or
Fuji apple and bosc pear, lemon zest, good finish, nice acid. B/B+
1990 Lagrange (Pomerol) 375 ml
I’ve probably drunk my weight in Lagrange (St Julien), but I think this is the first Lagrange (Pomerol) I’ve ever had. Black and red plums, espresso. Not any overt oxidation, but there is a slight roasted note than detracts from what would otherwise be a nice example of mature Pomerol. 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.