Alex had a lot of fun visiting cousins in Alsace this year, so when his turn to host our local non-serious group he chose Alsace as theme.
After group assembled we sat down to flammekueche and Cremant.
Bubbly #1 - Light, green apple and lemon, quite crisp, easy, I thought low/no dosage. NV Jean-Baptiste Adam Les Natures Cremant d’Alsace B
Bubbly #2 - a bit rounder, candied nuts, I thought this had more dosage than #1 but was wrong.
NV Leon Manbach Cremant d’Alsace Brut Nature B-
White #1 - my bottle I figured most would bring Rieslng (and expect me to bring CFE) so decided to switch up. Nice golden color, honey, nectarine, tangerine with citrus blossoms and a little smoke. Some RS, but decent acids to counter. Not showing it’s age. Takes group a while to get grape, even after I say “ what label says is not allowed anymore” Fun, but I’m not really a PG guy. 1996 Albert Boxler Sommerberg Tokay Pinot Gris B
Alex had made a lovely choucroute garni with 3 types of sausage plus slab bacon
White #2 - medium body, interesting nose with melon, peach and a little lychee. Pretty sure not Riesling, my guess was an Edelzwicker/Gentil (didn’t have enough lychee for pure Gewurz). After Fred said no I eventually got Silvaner. 2022 Dirler Cade Sylvaner VV B/B+
White #3- a bit thin, modest acids, light short finish. I didn’t think much of it so guessed Pinot Blanc. 2023 Joseph Cattin Pinot Blanc B-/C+
White #4 - a hint of petrol, ginger, dry peach fruit. Moderate length, figured finally a Riesling. No real guesses as to producer, but would have never gotten as never heard of producer (before Cremant earlier in evening), 2022 Leon Manbach Frankstein Riesling GC B
Cheeses and salad
Red #1 - cherry, anise, a touch of tannin, riper than most of the Alsace PNs I’ve had in past.
2023 Francois Baur Pinot Noir B
Red #2 - black cherry, green tobacco leaf, crunchy, bright and interesting. About as good as I’ve seen in Alsace PN. Someone said “Dale should guess producer” so I guessed Trimbach even though I don’t think I’ve had their PN before. 2022 Trimbach Pinot Noir Reserve B+/B
Red #3 - candied cherry, vanilla, woodchippy. Not a fan. 2022 Ruhlman Schutz Pinot Noir C+/B-
Fun night with great crew. Would not have predicted that my favorite wine would be a Pinot Noir.
Saturday oysters, flounder meuniere, cauliflower with tomato and pimenton, salad
2009 Pepiere Clisson Muscadet
Mixed reports on how this is aging but this bottle is lovely. Subdued pit fruit flavors, wet rock and oyster shell, rich and long in a Chablis-like manner. Complex and elegant, with vigor. A-
Beef biryani, asparagus, salad
2015 Domaine de la Chevalerie “Breteche” Bourgueil
At a recent dinner while we were talking about great Loire values like Baudry & Guion 2 people I respect mentioned Domaine de la Chevalerie. So I picked up a few bottles to try. Ding ding winner! Classic herby/spicy Cab Franc, with black cherry, green herbs, and cigar smoke. There’s some rather refined tannin, moderate acids, long finish. Will be in market for more Chevalerie. B+/A-
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.