Tuesday we picked up Betsy’s sister and BIL and headed to Northhampton MA where some mutual friends moved to. Fun day, then a nice meal of salad and a feta/pepper/cauliflower/broccoli sheetpan.
2023 Buttonwood Dry Riesling
Light but with good intensity, grapefruit, peach, and honeydew with floral and mineral notes on finish. Bright and very food friendly. B+/B
NYE we enjoyed the start of Northhampton’s First Night (taiko drumming, jazz, a yoyo artist, and a guitar orchestra- the less said about latter the better). Then a nice meal of lamb shoulder, potatoes, kale, and citrus salad
2012 Philippe Glavier Emotion Grand Cru Champagne
There’s some green apple and pear, but smoke and chalk are main impressions. Bright, taut, with snappy acids and a refined mousse. Some brioche/toast with air, a little almond. I really liike this B+/A-
Back home on New Year’s Day, dinner was lobster, blackeyed peas, and collards (Southern boy here)
NV Remi Leroy Brut Champagne
Ripe fruits, moderate acids, slightly coarse mousse, unimpressive finish. Not flawed but dull. This was quite cheap and it drinks like it! Won’t be looking for this again. C+/B-
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 as only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.