On Memorial Day we were blessed with great weather, and some friends (a bit smaller group than sometimes) gathered in our backyard. We made guacamole, mango salsa, potato salad, grilled squash, Flannery hanger, chorizo, Morcilla, lamb merguez, hot brats, hot dogs, poat dot (Cambodian style corn).
Others brought a Morgan Ranch wagyu tritip, more chorizo, pasta salad, broccoli with cumin, asparagus with aioli, lumpia, deviled eggs, a chickpea/greens salad, cole slaw, smoked salmon, several desserts (cheesecake, babka, GF blondies, cupcakes, etcv) , and a load of things I’ve forgot.
Mostly a culinary success, though we had 3 glitches:
Betsy got distracted and the garlic/pepper flakes for the clams had to be scrapped
I got distracted and undercooked morcilla (was able to salvage about half)
We both got distracted and totally forgot about 2 lbs of salmon we had marinating for grill.
OK, to wine (hopefully I got vintages etc correct, I was busy and convinced folks to take leftovers mostly home so can’t check recycling bin)
Rose
2023 Tiberio Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo - always a winner, vinuous, sappy red fruit, long chalky finish. B+
2024 Extradimensional Yeah! Salters Rose- full yet sprightly, raspberries and herbs, excellent persistence. A-/B+
There was also a 2023 Baudry but I didn’t take note
Dry White
2014 Pepiere Briords - I thought I had pulled a 2012. More advanced than I would have hoped, with a little cheesy note, but I liked better than others (and one non-geek friend came back for thirds or fourths). Still had a dense mineral finish, but we discussed how Luneau-Papin seems to age more reliably. B/B-
1986 Ch.de Fieuzal Blanc
expect 40 year old white Bordeaux (that doesn’t have Haut Brion in name) to have some oxidation, and this does- almond and some caramel, but also some interesting fig and coconut notes. I’d be ok with it if it didn’t come across as a bit low acid. Some others loved, some others hated. B-/B
Red
2011 Coudert/Clos de la Roilette Cuvee Tardive Fleurie (mag)
A pointe, black cherry and espresso, herbs and smoke, long finish. Despite being the only mag one of the few wines finished A-
2022 Brovia La Villerina Secca Freisa
Apparently from vines in Villero.I’m told it’s a “picnic wine” and it does have some good freshness, but there’s also some tannic structure here. Have your picnic with charcuterie! B/B+
Blind wine #1 - I had chosen for one claretophile, but at last minute he had to cancel when wife tested positive for COVID. Everyone was in Bdx immediately, though initial guesses were Medoc. Once Pomerol I didn’t make them guess, as de Sales is not first wine (or 15th) anyone thinks of. Cassis and red plum, truffles, some wet autumn leaves. Fully resolved tannins, bright acids. Not the longest finish, but for a lesser Pomerol with good bit of age nice showing. 1979 Ch. de Sales (Pomerol) B+/B
Blind #2 - I told Jay and Jayson we had had this together before, but didn’t mention it was 25 years ago! First guesses were Bordeaux, then got CA and decade. Jayson guessed Insignia, when I said very close couple people says Phelps Backus, then Jay 1985. Cassis and mint, touch of eucalyptus, some refined tannins, long complex finish. 1985 Phelps Backus Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa) A-
1992 Thackeray Orion
Black plum, weed, cocoa, rounder style. I think this is Syrah but I would have guesses Merlot. OK, but finish a bit clipped. B-
2014 Jouan “Clos Sorbé`” Morey St. Denis
Lovely and definite contender for WOTD. Black cherry and plum, floral, with a hint of mocha and spice. Perfumed and elegant, with long exotic finish. A-
2003 Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico (Irpinia)
Think I missed this one
Bubbles
Brice Heritage XX (I assume 2020 base)
I didn’t really love my first Brice (a BdN) recently, liked this a bit more. Pear and apple cider, creamy texture, yeasty nose. B/B+
With some sugar
1988 Weins Prum Graacher Himmelreich Auslese- I didnt taste, was told not to bother, unsure if corked or cooked or just past it
2012 Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Auslese
Plenty of sweetness, but balancing acids, long and zesty with pear, grapefruit, and ginger. Drinking well, I better dive into the ‘12 Spatlese! B+/A-
2005 Huet Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec Vouvray
Still seems young, lovely Bourg flavor profile with wool, wax, cider apple, and honeycomb, and good mineral notes on finish. It doesn’t seem to have quite the acid backbone of great Huets, but I enjoy. B+
I’m sure I missed some! But lovely and fun day with nice people.
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.
