With some grilled 5 spice quail and broccoli, the 2005 Terres Dorees (JP Brun) Fleurie. Pretty tight the first night, though it has some fruit and a little surprising note of vanilla; even if closed it does well with the quail. Revisited Friday night it had opened significantly, with black cherries surrounded by some earth and minerals. Some tannins, big for Fleurie. Leaving remaining bottles alone for a while. B+
Roger picked me up and we headed to Alex's home for meeting of local wine group. Travel delays and appointments kept us to just a few, but we enjoyed trying a few organic or biodynamic wines:
2005 Ch. La Grolet (Cotes du Bourg) (not blind)
Nice honest Bordeaux, light but persistent tannins, sweet cassis fruit, good acidity. Opens nicely through evening, a little leather comes through at end. Nothing profound, but solid Merlot, and I'd like to try the Tete de Cuvee if I can find. B/B+
2005 Cristia Chateauneuf du Pape
This was blind. Fairly nicely balanced, lighter red with slightly jammy red fruits, no apparent oak; I was guessing Cotes du Rhone. Surprised to see it a CdP in this era of huge ones, not overwhelmingly Grenache-y. B
2006 Terra Sana (Vin de Pays d'Oc)
Red ripe fruit, low acid, a rather nasty green streak despite the overripe feel. I guess a not very good Rhone, at least I'm in right country. C+
2006 Mittnacht Pinot Blanc
Not blind, served with some choucroute. A bit of RS, not overwhelming. Light to medium bodied, pear and peach fruit, a bit short, acceptable. B-
2007 Dashe Cellars "L'Enfant Terrible" Zinfandel (McFadden Farms, Potter Valley)
My wine, so no guesses. Others were thinking PN, shock reigned when I said Zinfandel. Very popular , though. Good acidity, bright red fruit with a healthy dose of spices, lively. Good length, a bit of a flinty note, fresh. I like this a lot. B+/A-
Fred arrived late, directly from flight from Chicago. He had dropped off his bottle (a Breton Bourgueil) earlier in week, when Alex went to get - it was gone. Some detective work discovered that Hilary had seen it and thought it was Alex's, she said it was quite good.
Fun night with the guys.
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.
