After having to cancel our Memorial Day party (MIL broke hip) and July 4th (weather), we were happy to host Labor Day. Absolutely perfect weather, and a good crowd showed up. I grilled clams, elotes (DIY), squash, hoisin pork, skirt steak ssam, flank steak , sausage (morcilla, lamb, brats, dogs), teriyaki salmon
Betsy made smashed cucumber salad and guacamole.
Others brought shrimp, skirt, and sausages for the grill, an assortment of salads, lumpia, sushi, deviled eggs, and loads more. There were several popular desserts (bobka and a mango dish especially).,
Lots of wines, the geeks were a minority but brought plenty. I wasn’t taking notes at time, so take with even more grains of salt than usual!
NV Jacques de France Prestige Brut (mag)
Nice bright Chardonnay based Champagne, I quite enjoyed (over hours). B+
I never tasted the 2025 Bastide Blanche rose, but have liked in the past
Whites
3 different bottlings of 2025 Mendes/Muros Antigos Alvarhino Vinho Verde. If I remember correctly, I liked the straight Alvarhino, found the Loureiro a bit ponderous, and really liked the deep Escolha
2024 Extradimensional Marianas Chardonnay
Lovely, and got better. Fine wine. A-/B+
2005 BeaucastelCdP Blanc VV
Bottle was in good shape, but I can never groove on white Rhones. Oily and heavy to me. Others enjoyed. C+
2012 Max Grunhauser Abtsberg Spatlese
I really liked this is a driveby tasting while grilling,but didn’t write anything down. Lovely 12 acids.
2023 Yves Martin Chavignol
Clean and easy Sancerre
1999 Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay
Alive at 27,I wished it wasn’t. Oaky mess. C-
Red
2010 De Montille Rugiens Pommard 1er
Young but with nice density, good finish. B+
My first Blind- group went to Bordeaux immediately, but was guessing 80s and St Julien/Margaux, Mostly resolved tannin, cassis and saddle leather, a hint of barnyard brett. Gets a little truffly. Very good if not great bottle, but this was the low (upper mid shoulder) bottle, other 2 have top shoulder so I expect better. . 1970 Montrose B+
My second blind- Ripe, big (14.2), guesses were Piedmont and then southern Rhone. Kirsch, a little ashtray, tart finish but with some vigor.I’m sure better 10-15 years ago but mostly limited by the heat of the vintage. 1997 Saintsbury Pinot Noir Reserve B-
2005 Phelan Segur
Cassis and black cherry, a little incipient cigar box, young but drinking ok. B/B+
2009 Rollin Les Vergelesses Pernand-Vergelesses 1er
Jay blinded group but it had been revealed by time I tasted, so no guesses (I think Jayson got producer). Lovely and balanced. B+/A-.
2022 JP Brun Moulin a Vent
I think liked this but no specific memory
Jayson’s blind, I was told it was Piedmont. I didn’t think it had lots of age on it, maybe 1990s. Black cherry, tar, some violets. Supple tannins, good acids. 2001 Marcarini La Serra Barolo B+/A-
1995 Foillard Cote de Py Morgon
Good to start, really developed well in decanter, Tangy and long, with black cherry and orange zest. Long and complex. A-
2023 Givaudin Irancy
I know I tasted but no memory
2015 Zede de Labegorce
Others liked more than I did; Round dark fruit, a little vanilla, somewhat international and anonymous (another declared it classic claret!). B-
2005 Pibarnon Bandol
Another tasted during my catch up period, I didn’t pay enough attention, but thought it good in a smoky mode.
2012 Edmunds St John Fenaughty Syrah
I loved this! Dark berries, grilled meat, gamy in a good way! Lovely, long, complex. No hurry but delicious. A-
Jay’s blind- I was going to guess Graves but was told they already figured out not Bordeaux. Gravel, tobacco, red plum. Nice length. 1987 Souverain Alexander Valley CS B+
1977 Heitz Bella Oaks
I was told this was dead so skipped. Then at end someone tasted and said how good it was. So I tasted and found out the first people were right. Pretty past it. C+
OK, I know I missed some, but without written notes I wanted to get thoughts down while fresh.
But really fun time with REALLY great people
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.