Theme for local non-serious group was “sausage wine.” As we arrived Roger had a bottle of Raventos i Blanc cava ready, light and refreshing but I took no notes.
Roger grilled a huge assortment of sausages (Nurnberger, Weisswurst, 2 kinds of brats, one chorizo interloper and I’m sure I forgot at least one), plus had sauerkraut, 2 kinds of potato salad, and cheeses.
Blind Rose
Pale, strawberry and peach with a touch of fennel seed, light. We get Provence, but I think too light for Bandol, then he says small appellation and I get Cassis. But pretty sure not Ste. Magdelaine. 2024 Clos d'Albizzi Cassis Rose B
Blind White #1 No guesses from me as it’s mine, group guesses MSR kab or trocken. Juicy citrus and pear, smoke, mineral. Another delicious bottle of the 2019 Lauer Kupp Fass 18 Grosses Gewachs. B+/A-
Blind White #2- clean white nectarine fruit with a little red cherry note, light sweetness, bright, good, spicy finish. I guess MSR kab (at same time as some others). 2023 Merkelbach Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett B+
Blind White #3- pretty dry, melon and thyme, modest acids, I guess Alsace Pinot Blanc (after someone else guessed Riesling). I’m surprised to learn Austrian, and new grape to me. 2021 Stadlmann 'Mandel-Hoh'Zierfandler ( Thermenregion). B-
Blind White #4 - Someone else goes with Austrian, the peas and white pepper lead me to GV, I guess Federspiel based on lightness. 2024 Ott Amberg Gruner Veltliner B/B+
Blind Red #1
I guessed lighter weight Syrah, but didn’t think Northern Rhone. Peppery, dark fruits, but a bit thin and short., 2021 David Reynaud Beaumont Crozes-Hermitage B-/C+
Blind Red #2 - light, fruity, touch of spice, I initially guess Beaujolais then PN. There’s a nice earthiness to this with some air. But turns out this is $60, I like but dubious value. 2020 Saalwacht Assmannhausen Spatburgunder B/B+
Blind Red #3 I guessed Montepulciano d’Abruzzo for this one. Ripe cherry, herbs, fleshy, a little fat . 2023 Da Luca Nero d’Avola B/B-
Pretty good lineup considered loose theme., Fun group, lovely weather for a night on a patio.
Hit the market for Saturday for some late summer bounty. Lobster sauteed with corn and vinegared heirloom tomatoes, and caprese (you can’t have too many tomatoes in season).
2012 Mt. Eden Chardonnay Reserve
Betsy comments I seldom open California Chardonnay, it’s Napa I mostly avoid, Santa Cruz I like. I will say this bottle seems totally mature, more so than I expected (cork seemed a tad loose, but I will open another bottle soon to check). . Pear and apple with a touch of lemon zest, nice hint of hazelnut. Modest finish. I like but if other bottles are like this I’ll drink up. But good. B+
Grilled tuna, radicchio/fennel with a date/anchovy dressing, honeynut squash
2013 Coudert/Roilette Cuvee Tardive Fleurie
Plenty of life left. Black and red raspberry, thyme-y herbs, smoky. Good structure, nice length. B+/A-
There was also a bottle of 2023 Bogle Chardonnay that a person who doesn’t know me brought to a party, we used for cooking.. I used to think the Bogle wines were maybe a tad better than usual Cal-Industrial wine, but this is pretty drecky- canned pears in heavy syrup, vanilla extract, oak chippy. C/C+
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.