WTN: NW Spain, plus Chambolle and Oregon

Friday headed to Fred’s for local wine group before he headed to Provence for the summer. He chose NW Spain (Galicia and Leon) as the theme.

I arrived to find a nice small group on the deck, with gazpacho, octopus in chermoula , rillettes, roasted peppers (Fred’s Algerian grandmother’s recipe), cheeses, olives, a "cake" with chorizo and olive, and more

Guessing wasn’t hard as 90+% of whites you could find are Albarino and similarly for Mencia in red.

Blind White # 1
Saline, crisp and light, I guessed Albarino (I was told correct, found out later it’s a blend, but mostly Albarino). Very good. B+
2024 Terras Gauda O Rosal (Rías Baixas)

Blind White # 2
Floral, bright but a bit rounder than #1, Granny smith and grapefruit. Tangy Guessed Albarino B+/B
2024 Legado del Fraile Albarino (Rías Baixas)

Blind White # 3
Modest acids, peachy, a bit of spritz. Very light, almost like a Vinho Verde. Didn’t think Albarino, but didn’t think Goldello as others I’ve had were weightier. B-
2024 Go De Godello (Bierzo)

Fred served a wonderful veal stew (smoked paprika)

Blind Red # 1
Red fruits and herbs, tangy cranberry notes, light, guessed Mencia. B
2023 Cesar Marquez Parajes (Bierzo)

Blind Red # 2
No guesses as mine, group immediately got Mencia. Deeper and longer, with some real structure. Dense dark fruit, mocha, long. B+/A-
2022 Anza Seleccion De Parcelas (Bierzo )

Blind Red # 3
Wow, this is good, exotic and long. Dark berries, coffee, leather.This could use some cellar time but lovely A-
2022 Envinate Doad Lousas (Vino Atlanticos)

Fun night

Duck breast, mushrooms, Chinese broccoli, potato salad
2006 Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny 1er
Lovely elegant Chambolle nose, tangy red fruit (cherry and raspberry) with citrus zest and mustard seed. In a good place. B+/A-

Sunday oysters, then pasta with a clam, leek, and smoky bacon (I used Benton’s) sauce, with broccoli rabe and salad.

2021 Day Wines “Eola Springs Vineyard” Chardonnay
Pear and citrus, medium bodied, a faint hint of vanillin oak. Good acids and balance. B+

2024 Forjas del Salnes Leirana Albarino (Rías Baixas)
I had carried this Friday but decided we needed more reds, opened on a whim. Bright stony acids, apple, wildflowers, saline finish. 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 the only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

Good to hear about that '22 Anza Selecciones, as I have a bottle of it, too, most likely from the same source (Posner).

[David M. Bueker]

Nice to hear that a 2006 Burg is in a good place. Hard vintage to track.

Yes to Bierzo source.

I find 2006 to be better in CdN than CdB overall (though liked Mouches,it's Volnay that has been unimpressive). But the wines can be all over the place- tight, open, tired. Pretty much reserve them for "just us" at home, where I have backups, don't usually want to bring to events (except Dujac);