Betsy made broccoli salad, slaw, and potato salad. I did 3 salsas (tomatillo, mango, tomato), charred leeks with a caper sauce, and a caprese salad. For grill I had some marinated steak, hot dogs, clams with grilled garlic,Toulouse sausages, Beyond Meat burgers, and “Israeli corn” (feta, lime, yogurt, zaatar). Others brought stuff for grill (D’Artagnan duck/armagnac sausages, lamb, veggie skewers); plus there were salads (avocado/corn, carrot, fig/beet, another potato), deviled eggs, and more
Weather was perfect.
Roses
2016 La Bastide Blanche Bandol rose
Red fruits (cherry, watermelon, strawberry) with some herbal tones and a good finish. B+
2015 Domaine Du Traginer “Le Gourmand” Collioure rose
‘15 but still fresh. Fuller styled, strawberry and cherry with lemon peel. I had to look to see where Collioure is (next to Banyuls). B
2014 Raventos “de Nit” (Conca del Riu Anoia) (bubbly)
Nice bead. Crisp, cranberry and lime zest, minerally finish. Good value at $15. B+/B
Whites
2000 Trimbach “Cuvee Frederic Emile” Riesling
From mag (I do think these Alsace mags look cool) this shows with lots of life left to it,but with mature petrolly aromas. Pit fruits, lemon, ginger. This isn’t the zippiest CFE,but there’s enough acid to keep it lively. B+
2015 Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Kabinett Riesling
Dang, this is good. Fresh, sprightly, totally balanced. Minerally, taut. One could argue this needs time but it’s one of my favorite wines of the day for drinking right now (I just won’t think about price- thanks Jay). Totally classic Kabinett. A-
2015 Ricitos de Oro (Navarra)
Garnacha blanco, herby, medium acids, surprisingly red fruited. B
I skipped or forgot a couple including a Brancott SB.
Reds
1972 P. Bouree Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru
Decayed and funky (not in a good way) when opened, but 3-4 hrs of slow-ox let it blow off the off aromas and open up. Tangy acids, dried cherries, mushrooms. Actually shows fresher than the ‘72 Bouree Chambertin from same lot. B+
2015 Lapierre Morgon (s)
Ripeness of the vintage is showing, but also some Morgon dirt. Some tannin, a bit of barnyard, good length.B/B+
1967 Berteletti Spanna
Thin and brown, but several hours in decanter brought out a nice wine. Not particularly deep, but nice mature Nebbiolo in a lighter vein. Red cherry, flowers, a little tar. More Nebbiolo-like than the Vallanas from this era. B+/B
2014 Romeo (Jumilla)
Not heavy or jammy as I feared, but still low acids and sweet fruited. Short. Others liked more. C+
2007 Rhys “Alpine” Pinot Noir
Stemmy, a little oak, firm black cherry fruit with a touch of sandalwood. Still some tannin, tasty but I’d hold. B for now
2013 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon
On the jammy side of sweet, lower acids, vanilla. some tannin. B-/C+
1996 CVNE “Imperial” Rioja Gran Reserva
Others didn’t like as much as I did. Cedary with just a touch of American oak dill, raspberry/cranberry with lots of citrus zest, bright with a long finish. A-
Good day with good people
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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.