Last night we had a little dinner party on the patio. We invited Jim and Dana (and their dog Courtney), as thanks for keeping Lucy while we were in CA. Plus we invited Alex and Hilary, as their kids were all in France. Glad we included them, because they had just found a treasure trove of chanterelles while biking. They showed up with a big basket, which Alex cooked while Betsy did the rest of meal.
With olives and an avocado/buttermilk soup:
2006 Matrot (forgot to look, think Thierry & Pascale, but all the same) Bourgogne blanc
Clean Chardonnay fruit, apple and lemon fruit, could use a touch more acidity. B/B-
2006 Haut Rian (Bordeaux Blanc)
I think I preferred 2004 and 2005 of this. Herby/grassy SB nose, nice flavors, maybe a touch dilute. B-
With grilled duck breast (we prerendered fatty side to reduce flareups) with chanterelles over salad, and a barley/zucchini/asiago/basil side.
2005 Guion "Cuvee Prestige" Bourgueil
Nice wine to serve chilled on a summer eve. Earthy, good dark fruit with a hint of treebark (not new oak, none apparent despite name), nice balance. I like this wine, too bad it's sold out. B+
2005 Domaine La Milliere Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes
I served this because Jim is a CdP fan. Big ripe red fruit, some smoke and bacon fat, lots of herbes de Provence. Tannins a bit raspy. Shows a bit hot, maybe better on a cold winter day. B
2004 Drouhin Chorey-les-Beaune
Nice red cherries, a little cran/rasp berry tartness, just a hint of green herbiness, good concentration, refreshing acidity. B
Cheese was aged red Leichester, Reblochon, and Stilton. Betsy made a blackberry pie. Good time was had by all, human and canine.
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.