by Dale Williams » Mon Aug 20, 2018 12:13 pm
We had some friends (and one pup) over for dinner Sunday evening. Started with pate forestier, coppa, chicken liver pate, smoked salmon
2010 Yann Alexandre Blanc de Blancs Champagne. Bright acids, lighter body, lemon and Granny smith. B
Fred brought delicious gazpacho, I opened the 2005 Lopez de Heredia “Gravonia ” Rioja Blanco. Slightly sherried/nutty nose, but quite fresh on palate. Bright acids, citrus and wax, tangy. B+
Next I served a scallop crudo, with a blind wine in decanter. Took a while. 1986 Ponsot “Clos des Monts Luisants” Morey St. Denis Vieilles Vignes . Mostly Aligote with a little Chardonnay and Pinot Gouges. I was a little worried as color was a deep gold, but unlike one previous bottle it didn’t darken further. Lactic note on nose, but on palate pretty clean- pear, peach, and vanilla. Good length. B+
Middle Eastern herbed chicken,
2012 COS Frappato
Floral, berry, nicely dusty. B+/B
1989 Couly-Dutheil "Clos de l'Olive" Chinon
Hard to believe this is an ‘89. Tough, herby, ungenerous. Gets better with air, but never approaching charming. C+/B-
1994 Tete (Clos du Fief) “Cuvee Prestige” Julienas
I know little about pre1999 Beaujolais vintages, no expectations for a ‘94. This was a nice surprise. Red and black cherries, mocha, earth. Fresh fruit but with overtones of dirt & leaves. Very good. B++
Then salad with mushrooms, local cheeses, peaches
2005 Foreau (Clos Naudin) Vouvray Demi-Sec
Really a nice showing, midweight and midsweet, apple skin with plenty of wooly waxy Chenin-esque tones, good stony finish. Bright and lively. A-/B+
Fun night with a good crowd.
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.
Last edited by Dale Williams on Wed Aug 22, 2018 12:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.