We had our Independence Day party a day late. Warm, but a breeze kept it from being oppressive. Betsy made some great karaage chicken. I grilled steaks, squash,lamb merguez, chorizo, Morcilla,hot dogs, elotes, clams, salmon. Also grilled some hot Italian and andouille sausages that friends brought.
Others brought watermelon/feta/basil bites, shrimp, pasta salad,gazpacho, lumpia, deviled eggs, a bean/fennel salad, cole slaw, ham biscuits, several desserts (almond/berry cake, babka, cookies, madeleine etc) , and a load of things I’ve forgot.
Wines were plentiful
Whites
1969 Huet Perlant Vouvray
I wasn’t really familiar with the perlant nomenclature (less bubbly than petillant, apparently used to be common. As always, Don knew history and was a great docent) But this retained some bubbles after 50+ years. Apricot, Earl grey, citrus. Light sweetness, fun and plenty of life left (for me, someone else complained it “had no flavor”). B+
2024 Tiberio Trebbiano d'Abruzzo
Excellent vintage of this annual favorite, Citrusy, minerally, bright and crunchy. B++
2006 Pepiere “Clos des Briords” Muscadet (Magnum)
Mineral/seashell at first, much later more floral, I enjoyed both iterations. Pretty tasty the next day too! B+/A-
2004 Picq Vosgros Chablis 1er
Who knows, it was empty when I got to it. Had fans and detractors.
2022 Goodfellow Berserker Cuvee Temperance Hill Chardonnay.
From previous try I planned on decanting this, but someone grabbed from cooler and popped/poured. Really reductive , matchstick dominant, but much better couple hours later. Lemon and pear, chalk, bread. B/B+
2022 Carl Loewen Herrenberg Kabinett
This seemed good with a minty mineral edge but a little soft, but that might have just been because it had been sitting out a while and was getting war. B?
1989 Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Auslese
What I want in 30+ year old Auslese. A-
1989 Huguet Pinon Vouvray Demi Sec
I think universal descriptor was “yucky.” I don’t think it was corked. I don’t think it was brett. I don’t think it was heat damaged. This is the wine, it’s just terrible wine. F
1989 Mabilliere Vouvray Demi Sec
This made up for the other 89 Vouvray, though at 30+ it still had a load of sulphur. Apple pie, candlestick, honied edge (though not much sweetness left). Still tight! B/B+
Rose
2024 Tiberio Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo
Very nice vintage of this classic, rich but lively with tart cranberry fruit (that’s a good thing) and long minerally/chalky finish. B+/A-
2023 Bastide Blanche Bandol Rose
I’ve had so skipped
Reds
2020 Raul Perez Ultreia St Jacques(Bierzo).
I put this out as the “chilled red” but again have had a bunch so passed
2010 Texier Cotes du Rhone Brezeme VV
Supple tannins, bright acids, red fruits, pepper and olives. A delight. B++
Blind Half Bottle -- I just declared young Bordeaux and left it at that. Big fruit, surprisingly easy tannins, primary. Mid-modern. I get less enjoyment drinking young Bordeaux that some.
2019 Ch. Priuere Lichine (375 ml) B- for drinking now, expect it will get better
2013 Chateau de La Tour Clos Vougeot
Not a property I really know, but I liked this. B+
My first blind wine - Winegeeks were in 2 clusters, first initially guessed Bordeaux, others went with Burgundy. Once I said no but good guess to latter Jayson got Oregon but took a bit for folks to get DDO. I quite liked, black raspberry and cherry, truffly notes, good balance. 2010 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir B+
2005 La Louviere (Pessac-Leognan)
Opened as folks have been saying 2005s beginning to drink well. Really tight when opened about 1:30, back in bottle at 2:30, served a couple hours after that more open. A bit glossy, but nice character underneath. B
Blind (not to me)
2005 Branaire-Ducru
Decanted just before serving. Pretty open, black cherry and mocha, some oak, midmodern. B
2014 Vieux Chateau Certan
This is a lovely wine, but a bit young for my tastes in claret. B for drinking now, A- wine
1994 Matanzas Creek Merlot
Soft, mature, resolved tannins, nice plum and dried cherry profile, forest floor. B/B+
1995 Matanzas Creek Merlot
Didn’t try as was told maderized
Extradimensional Wine Co Yeah Figure Ground
Didn’t get vintage, and someone took bottle. But this was super fun- bright and electric, raspberry and red cherry, very herby, light and bright. I’m told it’s some weird cepage of mouvedre, sangiovese, Zinfandel, and …Chardonnay? Anyway, I liked a lot B+/A-
OK, day is getting long, but I need to serve one more blind bottle. I think all initial guesses were mature claret, once we got to Cali took a while to get producer (except apparently Jay nailed Forman and I misheard). Red fruits and cassis, saddle leather., cedar, and minty herbs. Good showing. 1985 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon A-/B+
Fun day with fun people (and fun disagreements about wine!). I liked almost everything except the vile Vouvray
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.
