Tuesday over to SIL’s for dinner.
We brought the apps- potato with creme fraiche and ikura, and cucumber with smoked salmon and a dill/horseradish sauce
2020 Carbonnieux Blanc (Pessac-Leognan)(375 ml)
Pineapple and grapefruit, a mild grassy note, lots of structure, good finish, B+
Cal had made a nice little amuse of curried lentil soup with pepper oil and coconut, and then served braised lamb shanks with mint/mustard, leek mashed potatoes, broccoli/broccolini, and a salad
1999 Burgaud Cote Rotie
Black berries and cassis, smoked meats, a hint of barnyard, slightly lifted. With air gets a bit more floral (violets), good finish. Nice showing from unheralded producer. B+/A-
Labneh with pistachios to finish
Hmart chicken, king trumpet mushrooms with a spy/mirin/5 spice glaze, Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce, and rice
2023 Chermette “Garants” Fleurie
Very dark for Gamay, sappy dark fruit, espresso, a touch of smoke. A bit wrapped up in itself, this is too young, but still tasty if only giving a taste of what is to come. B/B+ for now, lots of potential.
No mention of Vissoux any more
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.