No wine Monday with chicken breast, sweet potato, and spinach
Tuesday headed up to Croton, to a table filled with lovely cheeses, olives, bread,speck, and pate.
2018 Roederer Starck Brut Nature
I always like the Starck, but usually think it needs some cellar time, but I guess the ripeness of 2018 made this a bit more approachable young.Apple, lemon zest, baking sourdough, nice finish with a bit of chalk. A-
2008 Dom Pérignon
Lovely vintage of DP, young but with the DP herbiness already showing, elegant mousse, long finish. A-
The theme was mature California
1980 Caymus Vineyards Zinfandel
Very nice, super herby, tart raspberry fruit (John reminded us Randy Dunn made this) B+/B
1979 Château Montelena Zinfandel
This started very volatile and stinky cleared up some, but I never warmed to it as much as others did. C+
1975 Ridge Vineyards “Lytton Springs” Zinfandel
Raspberry, mint, cedar, light (11.7%) and bouncy. B
1975 Ridge Vineyards “York Creek” Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasty, ripe and chocolatey, tobacco, a little barnyard on nose and finish.B+
Dan’s blind flight (wrapped in foil)
Shiny Foil- delicious, young, someone gets PN right away, once we agree Oregon John gets producer and vintage on first guess 1993 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) B+
Matte- very lifted nose, John gets Pn but we all think much older than shiny foil. Tired red fruit, toffee. Not a real fan. Dan says cork was a bit iffy 1992 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) B-/C+
A Champagne break while John plated first course
2012 Jean Vesselle Brut Prestige
Quite bready, apple and lemon curd, nice approach but not a very long finish. B/B+
Lovely shrimp on avocado dish
1988 Ch. Montelena Chardonnay
Dan brought to me to check (said it had an off corky note when opened), but seemed fine. Deep golden color, shows age but not tired. Apples, butterscotch, floral, a little honey. Good acids, and good length. Drink up (with pleasure). B/B+
1974 Stony Hill Chardonnay
At first a bit muted on nose, but palate lovely from gitgo, and nose catches up. Pear, lemondrop, and beeswax, 50 year old Chardonnay that’s drinking wonderfully. A-
Back to reds
1985 Kenwood “Artist Series” Cabernet Sauvignon
Corked, sadly
1985 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon
Excellent, redder fruits with cedar and herbs, in a good place. A-/B+
I assisting John with grilling, he had pork tenderloin, andouille, and chorizo, I had brought some lime/fish sauce marinated skirt, plus he made a delicious couscous
1981 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon “Martha’s Vineyard”
Rich red fruit, mint and menthol, but there’s a caramelly note that detracts, and think this is not a pristine bottle. Still tasty, just not Martha’s magic.. B
1979 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon
Tar, dark fruits, powerful and quite good but not real giving. Wish I had time to go back to this one . B+ for now
1978 Simi “Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon
Upside surprise of the night. Bright red fruits with parsley ( tabbouleh!) and orange zest, light and sprightly, Sasha asks who put Rioja in the Simi bottle B+/A-
1976 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon
Plush and lovely, ripe and exotic, comparisons to Lafleur. A-
1972 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
It was sad the Kenwood was corked, but it was REALLY sad this was corked
1969 Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Red fruit and campfire, this is one smoky wine, holding up well but there’s a bit of ashtray on finish, I have a couple bottles of this and will drink up. B+/B
Very fun night with great group.
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.