I grilled some pork chops to serve with a salad with golden beets, opened the 2004 Nikolaihof "Vom Stein" Riesling Federspiel. Intensely citric, with lemon and grapefruit and a little orange rind, just a tiny hint of petrol, dominated by a very rocky mineral finish. I generally think of Federspiel as drink young, but this could use some time. B++
Betsy got back from her recording session in Michigan Friday, she took care of the spinach and pasta, I grilled branzino and scallops. Wine was the 2006 Inama Soave Classico. Light but with some backbone, vivacious, lemon fruit with a little nut. I enjoyed, and took leftovers to my wine group. B+
After dinner Lucy and the dog walked with me to Roger's house, she went home to unpack and repack while I spent evening with my local wine group. We mostly do reds, but this was our annual rosé/white night before our summer hiatus. Wines served blind:
As I arrived, everyone was there, I was handed a glass of white. Light peach fruit and apricot , very floral, a little musky. A little tired seeming. I wondered if Alsace Muscat, told no, guessed Viognier. Yes, 1999 Christophe Pichon Condrieu. B-
Next up was mine, the 2007 Larmes du Paradis Rosé (Vallée d`Aoste)
Much lighter style than other nebbiolo based rosatos like Il Mimo or the Sella, a light and zippy strawberry infused wine. Probably better as an apertif than as a dinner wine. B/B+
Lemony white with some waxy notes. The latter leads me to guess Chenin, Fred says "close", I guess Romorantin. Good acidity, but a bit dilute, not my fave. It's the 2002 Huards Cour-Cheverny. B-
A pink that could use more acidic backbone was up next. A touch flabby, simple red plum fruit, once I heard French I guessed Bordeaux as I always don't like Bdx rose. 2007 Rose de Phelan Segur. C+
Next was a rather dreadful Languedoc Sauvignon Blanc, I was told it was organic, I'd call it thin and characterless. Sorry I didn't note name. C
A zippy citrus driven white, high acids, mineral and floral nose, I'm totally lost. Random guesses (Alsace?) get nowhere. I state confidently not Chardonnay. Alex says Burgundy, I'm shocked, but it isn't Chard, a nice 2006 Giraudon Bourgogne-Aligoté B
I'm also lost as to origin of next pink. I'm thinking Provence, but no. Good acidity, cherries and strawberries. Dave says it's a Puligny Montrachet, and I claim that's impossible for a rosé. OK, once unwrapped I get it, it's the 2007 Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet Bourgogne Rosé. I like better than I usually like their whites. B/B+
Rain starts and we move inside, we're close to leaving when Rob realizes he never poured his wine. Straight from the fridge and very cold, it's so pale I'm not sure if it is a rosé or if he poured a white into my glass with a little leftover rose. I look at other glasses and determine it is a rosé. Not giving a lot straight out of fridge, I get a little cherry and red plum, a hint of earth, and guess Pinot. It's another Burg, the 2007 F. Magnien Bourgogne Rosé (what are chances of 2 random Bourgogne roses, with neither a Marsannay?). B
No great wines, but a fun time, with good conversation (and arguments!). Not about wine, mostly. Happily walked home in a thunderstorm.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. 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.