What could go wrong with a half bottle of 1995 Louis Latour Meursault-Perrieres? Well, lots. While everyone talks about ‘96 and premox, ‘95s are just as subject, it’s just people had lower expectations. And it’s Louis Latour. And it’s a 375 ml. On the other hand, it’s Meursault Perrieres. OK, the answer. While it’s got some nutty notes, it’s not totally oxidized, so a bit above expectations. However, it can’t overcome it’s Latour-ness, so it’s on the flat, fat, and uninteresting side. C+
So with my leftovers (chicken) I switched to the 2014 Edmunds St John Gamay Noir. Light color, full flavor, red cherry and raspberry, a little meat, floral/violet aromas. Pretty and fun. B+
Friday we grilled tuna steaks, served with the 2015 Jane et Sylvain Bourgogne Rouge. Crunchy red fruits (cranberry/raspberry), some herbs, lighter bodied but with good finish. B
Then met some friends and went to see the Bill Charlap Trio (one friend was his original drummer. Great show, and we had some speck and tapenade. I tried 2 BTG (menu didn’t list vintages, and on most wines not producer, but I draw the line at latter).
San Matteo Gavi - sweet peach, citrus, a little straw, a bit short and fat. B-/C+
Alois Lageder Chardonnay- hey, pretty nice. Citrus and seashell, good acids, I could have been convinced it was Chablis. B
Saturday a 7 AM speech (!?!?), a bit of work, a farmers market, and then to New Rochelle for a wake/visitation. John Dawson was a great guy, and the wine geek most responsible for my love of Riesling. Wanted to toast him that night, but thought his beloved Prum not the best match for Spanish mackerel, so I went with dry Riesling. The 2016 Battenfeld Spanier Moelsheim Riesling Trocken was bright, gingery, with citrus and slatey minerals. Good length, and a good wine to toast a passed friends. B++
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Sunday Betsy’s quartet played a benefit concert for my organization, afterwards I made her a pre-birthday dinner- flank steak, grilled leeks, potato timbales, and salad. I’ve heard that DDC has made a turn to the modern, but the 1998 Domaine de Chevalier rouge is still in classic mode. Red and black current, earth, smoke, and some tobacco. Midbodied, nicely balanced, good length. B+
Monday was her actual birthday, we went to Bread and Brine for steamers, fish tacos, octopus, and poke bowl. I had a glass of the 2015 Jolivet Sauvignon Blanc, a little grassy, some grapefruit, not too long. B-/C+
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.