Labor Day was lovely, and we had a group over for a backyard party. Betsy did 4 racks of baby back ribs, a large caprese, Broccoli salad. I did sirloin in fish sauce, skirt steak in a bulgogi sauce, salmon teriyaki-ish, elotes, squash, mango salsa. We collaborated on grilled clams with fried garlic.
Others brought pesto trapanese, kale/beet salad, fish terrine with remoulade, deviled eggs, green bean/potato, Turkish meze, artichoke frittata, sausage and peppers, and probably 5 other dishes I’ve forgotten. Kate brought the only dessert, a Rosh Hashanah plum cake.
Among the wines:
2008 Pascal Cotat “Monts Damnes” Sancerre
good acids, fruit blossom, grapefruit, long., I liked more than some others, B+
2010 Boulay Chavignol Sancerre (375)- shockingly fresh for a half bottle, snappy and fun B+
2016 Bea Santa Chiara- lovely and fun, orange marmalade, lime zest, and allspice, nice almondy bitter edge on finish. B+/A-
.
2016 Guiberteau Breze Saumur Blanc- saline, intense, complex A-/B+
1976 Schloss Vollrads Kabinettin good shape, just off dry, lychee, citrus rind, muskmelon, touch of petrol. B/B+
(blue capsule)- a bit of petrol,apple fruit, a bit clipped, but definitely alive (is this Riesling? Doesn’t say) B-
1999 Burn Goldert Clos Saint Imer La Chapelle Gewurztraminer
on floor during flood, label falling off, in good shape, just off dry, lychee, citrus rind, muskmelon, touch of petrol. B/B+
1989 Huguet Pinon Vouvray Demi-Sec
First bottle seemed corked, so did second. We discussed the false positive/Chenin blanc think but most people held to corked (couple went odd but something else). But tasted several hours later I didn’t get odd or corked from the bottle I saved. Honey, apple cider, clean but fairly pedestrian., B-
Other whites included more Sancerre, an Arneis, but those went home with someone before I noted.
1998 Coudoulet de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone
Found in a soaked box, a forgotten wine, not very complex but still some good dark fruits , leather, green herbs, B/B-
2013 Foillard Cote du Py Morgon
Really lovely, red and black cherries, lavender, rose petals. Lovely balance
2013 Lapierre Morgon
A bit lighter and less complex than the Foillard, though still a pleasant wine.
1964 Marcarini Brunate Barolo
This had been standing up in area that flooded, decanted about 2 hours before serving, best was last glass during cleanup. Light cranberry and cherry, orange zest, tar. Complex and long. A-
1976 Domaine de Chevalier
Blinded, initial guesses were Cab Franc, Mark got Graves, JC DDC. Everyone surprised at vintage. There’s some greenness, lighter framed, but good persistence B
1976 Lytton Springs Winery Zinfandel
Ripe raspberry , very juicy/ripe (despite 12.5$ abv), briary, quite fun though it cracks up fairly fast. B+ when served
1985 Bairrada Frei Joao
Some got tomato, I didn’t , but thought weedy and tired. C+
Next 3 Etna Rossos were brought to see which was best match with pesto trapanese (to which the correct answer is white, especially the Santa Chiara)
2014 Passopisciaro Passorosso
High octane, cough drop,licorice. Not my style but others (including Betsy) liked. B-/C+
2018 Sofia Gioacchino-
My favorite, balanced and fresh, red fruit with smoke and herbs. B+
2011 Terre Nere Etna Rosso Guardiola
Still a bit tannic, dark fruit with slight raisiny note, good finish. B
I probably missed a red or two as well
Nice afternoon with great people who brought nice wine and food.
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.