Non blind rose, 2020 Angeli Rosé d'un Jour (Grolleau).
Sweet cherry, watermelon, onion skin. Lots of body, more like an orange wine than rose. Different but I quite like. B+
Bonus Blind
Hint of spritz, bubblegum, sheepswool, tangy.Chenin? Yes. Jayson guesses Anjou (not on label but yes), , then gets producer and bottling.. I find interesting more than tasty, 2019 Ch. de Bonnezeaux La Montagne B-
Heirloom Tomato with grilled peach, feta, and pea shoots
Yellow Fin Tuna Loin CRUDO WITH compressed watermelon, smoked shoyu, & sesame oil
Crisp Polenta with mushroom and garlic creme
1a - My first guess was Muscadet and then I changed my mind (never change mind). Tangy, saline, but with unusual citrus meets mango. Gets very limey. 2022 Bretaudeau Gabbro B
1b - Full and rich Sauvignon Blanc, a little reduced at first. Long, good acids considering vintage, very nice chalky finish. 2015 F. Cotat Culs de Beaujeau Sancerre B+/A-
Bonus Blind
Rich, honeydew and lemon, some chalky mineral. I never thought of Melon/Muscadet.
2015 Bretaudeau Gaia B/B+
Numbering system fell apart at this point, but blind wines kept coming
Blind- big, tight, but loads of stones and minerals. I thought maybe a Collier. Needs time still,
2019 Clos de la Hutte Savennieres B for now
Roasted Oyster with guanciale smoked trout roe, breadcrumbs
Clam pizza with calabrian chili & basil
trout with potato and bacon
Blind- deep golden color, unsure if old or premoxed. Deep flavors of orange and herb, but undercut by cidery notes. When revealed a couple of people liked much better.
2008 Clos Rougeard Breze Saumur B-Blind- light sweetness, wax, wool, quince. Jayson says “some of you may not have had this grape, but Dale has” Ok- so social engineering. Romarantin? Yes Cazin Renaissance? Yes, 2004? My only good “guess” of the night. 2004 Cazin Cuvee Renaissance Cour-Cheverny B++
This was supposed to be blind, but everyone knew I brought it, and somm brought it over for me to check (I don’t know why he thought it off, clearly lovely), so no guessing. Apple, quince, orange marmalade,honeysuckle, Long, deep, complex, tangy. 1959 Huet Le Haut Lieu Demi-Sec. A-
Bonus blind red- doesn’t seem to be Cab Franc, redder fruit with a little kirschy note, gingerbread, it’s Pinot Noir . 2020 F. Cotat Chavignol Rouge. B/B+
Bolognese rigatoni, duck Breast w/cauliflower & parsip puree
Red 1 A - young, black raspberry and cassis, little hint of barnyard, supple tannins and bright acids.
2010 Baudry La Croix Boissée Chinon A-
Red 1 B - I think JC and Jayson called this as CR right away. Great, complex, elegant. Cassis, cigar, a little gin-like aromatics. 2010 Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny A-
Red 1 C -tight, a bit of brett, not showing a lot. 2010 Sanzay Les Poyeux Saumur-Champigny B-
Oxtail pappardelle
Denver Steak with porcini rub
Red 2 A
Very sweet, some new oak, needs time 2010 Clos Rougeard Les Poyeux Saumur-Champigny B+
Red 2 B
Lovely, long, dark berries and coffee with lightest hint of saddle meets barnyard. 2010 Baudry Le Clos Guillot Chinon A-
Red 3 A
Red fruits, a hint of green pepper, a light animal note, long smooth ferric finish. 2014 Baudry La Croix Boissée Chinon A-/B+
Red 3B
spicy, raspberry and cherry, chipotle pepper, a little barnyard. 2014 Collier Les Charpentieres Saumur B+
Red 3C
Weird nose, funky with dried herbs and pine needles, much better on palate. A couple of people were sure this was the Collier. 2021 Guiberteau Saumur B-
Blind sweet 1 -classic Vouvray moelleux, honeycomb, apricot, wildflowers and lanolin. Really long, brown sugar buoyed by zippy acids. Guys next to me said 1989 Huet, I said older. I guessed 1971 Jayson (we knew it was his) said older, then I realized he knew I was bringing the demi sec and got 1959.
1959 Huet Clos du Bourg Moelleux 1ere Trie A-/A
Blind sweet 2- not near as sweet, more a sec tendre/demi sec. Moderate acids,sweet apple, lemon curd and pineapple,a little beeswax. I guess Prince Poniatowsky though I assumed it was the Clos Baudoin, 1990 Prince Poniatowsky Aigle Blanc. B
Fun night. Nice to try some of the new wave Loire producers I don’t know as well, though for my tastes the Huets and Baudry smoked it. A bit too many blind wines (somm got a bit exasperated as extra foil wrapped bottles kept appearing), But glad I went.
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.
