I forgot one wine from last week, the 2014 Brotherhood “Winemaker’s Private Selection” Riesling. I always am amused by Private Selection, Private Reserve, etc- really? What’s private about these commercially available wines? Anyway, this is the best Brotherhood (America’s oldest winery) wine I’ve had (faint praise). Finger Lakes, not Hudson, it’s just offdry with some pear and citrus, moderate acids, modest length. B-/C+
Thursday we had first guests for meal from out (93% finished) kitchen. Started with potstickers and some lonza.
2015 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett
Rich peach with some granny smith and lime, nice sugar/acid balance, long clesn finish. B++
Then to patio foir next 2 courses
Steamed lobster, grilled corn
2006 Jadot Meursault-Charmes 1er
Forgotten bottle, discovered in a box I though all reds. No premox here, clear light gold. apple, citrus, peach. Quite full. Some hazelnut as well as mineral on finish. This has more acidity than most '06s, but still a bit on fat side, glad to drink now. Dodged a bullet, B+/A-
2013 de Courcel Bourgogne Blanc
Solid full style, honeydew and vanilla. B
Then grilled tuna, salad
2007 Bize “aux Vergelesses” Savigny-les-Beaune 1er
Surprising tannin for ‘07, acid and tannin structure,crunchy raspberry and cranberry fruit. Nice length, some smoke on finish, pretty open but this could use time. B+
Friday I grilled some sardines, tomatoes, peppers, and radicchio.
2016 Pepiere “Briords” Muscadet
Ok, hard vintage, maybe not greatest Briords. But that’s like saying not best LeBron/MJ game, not best JBeck/MKnopfler.EClapton/JPage solo,not best Picasso/Braque cubist painting, etc. Very satisfying- citrus, salinity, crisp. Not the 2012 or 2014, still one of the greatest under $20 values on market. B+/A-
2013 Burlotto Viridis Sauvignon Blanc (Langhe)
More SB than Langhe, some grass, citrus. Maybe getting a little tired on finish. B-
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.
