Some friends recently celebrated their 20th anniversary. I was the best man, and some other friends were wedding coordinator and helper, so we had a little dinner party. My visit to local charcuterie was a bust- they were on vacation. So last minute appetizer of shrimp on nori with Japanese mustard.
NV Moutard Rose Champagne
Pretty cherry and strawberry jam, fresh and straightforward. B
First sitdown course was sea scallops with a wine/chive sauce
2000 Remi Jobard “le Poruzot-Dessus” Meursault 1er
I’ve had very good luck with Remi Jobard as far as premOx, but 2000 is often quite mature in any case. This doesn’t show oxidation, but isn’t the most interesting Meursault you’re going to run across. Ripe pear and melon, sweet edge, modest finish. B/B-
1997 Stony Hill SHV Chardonnay
This is the second wine, intended for early consumption, but this has aged just fine. Sweet mango and apple fruit, floral, with a crisp acidic minerally finish. More tropical/exotic than I’m used to from Stony Hill’s main Chardonnay, but quite tasty. B+
Main course was a Moroccan chicken dish, with broccoli rabe and rice
1997 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Plummy dark fruits, a little mocha. Tannins resolved, holding well. B
2013 Ora et Labora Mencia (Riberia Sacra)
Cassis, coffee, smoke. Like a slightly exotic Bordeaux. B+
Saturday Betsy was away, I had leftovers (mostly meatloaf).
1996 Edmunds St. John “Brandlin Ranch” Zinfandel
I don't drink much Zinfandel, and even less older Zin. Maybe that's a mistake! Vibrant berry fruit, spice, herbs. Deep and long, with a spicy edge to finish. A-/B+
Sunday when Betsy came home I did clams and pasta, more broccoli rabe, and watercress salad. Wine was the 2001 Trimbach “Cuvee Frederic Emile” Riesling. I went through my initial stash and had to find more. Nice showing- grapefruit and wet rocks, some discrete petrol on the long long finish. A-
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 only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.