No wine with miso black cod, bok choy.
Pork chops, sweet potato, broccolini,
2024 Chermette Griottes Beaujolais
Fun, juicy bright and refreshing B/B+
Sausage and cabbage
2024 La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rose
Floral long and delicious, strawberries and orange zest, dried flowers, long finish. B+/A-
Friday I decanted a 77 Montelena Cab (and it smelled so good I filtered the dregs and had a taste- great wine, but I didn’t take notes, thinking I would have it later) and a nice smelling 85 Kalin. Then I picked up some city folk at Croton station and went to John’s for a Mature California night. .
We arrived and were greeted with the Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs (2018 base, 2023 disgorgement). Pear, fresh baked bread, with a light nutty edge. Elegant mousse, nice chalky minerality. B+
About this time I got a call from my SIL (Betsy was playing a concert at Duke) who was in MN that their mother had fallen at the assisted living and was going to the hospital. An aide was with her, so for now just to stand by. Worrisome.
There was cheese and charcuterie
2019 Pauline Collin-Bereche Vieilles Vignes Extra Brut
Having had the delicious 2020 earlier in the week, I was happy to try this, and even happier once I tasted. Large scaled but with grace, fresh and long. A-
NV Dehours Brut
Corked
On to the reds
1973 Joseph Swan “Sonoma County” Zinfandel
Reeking of VA. C-
1975 Cuvaison Zinfandel
(made by Philip Togni), Wonderful, sweet and spicy, as good an old Zin as I’ve ever had. A-
1977 Joseph Swan “Sonoma County” Zinfandel
I found this a bit porty and roasted., others liked more. I thought it improved with air but and never loved as much as others did. B/B-
1978 Chalone Pinot Noir
Exotic sandalwood nose, lifted, sweet red fruits and nice length. A-/B+
1975 Joseph Swan Pinot Noir
Resolved, red fruits and mushroom,very tasty but for me drink up., B+
1992 Dunn Petite Sirah
I never knew Dunn made a PS. And would not have gotten grape blind. Red and black plum, crunchy/leafy, surprisingly elegant. B+
1989 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon
Delicious and complex, green tobacco leaf and herb (Cab Franc?) nice length. B+/A-
1984 Livingston“Moffett Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon
Red plum, juicy, not very complex but lively. B/B+
lemon-fennel shrimp with avocado
1994 Kalin Cellars “Cuvée W” Chardonnay
Bronze, honied,way too oxidized for me (Craig was saying he felt the 80s Kalin chards were holding more dependably than the 90s) C (some felt it improved later I heard)
1997 Ch. Montelena Chardonnay
Honied, orange rind, a touch of botrytis, more mature than a recent 88 but still holding on, good example of a mature Chard from a very ripe vintage. B/B+
And that’s when I got the call. MIL’s hip was broken, and aide needed to go home. So I packed up my stems, gave my regrets, and drove to the hospital in Sleepy Hollow. And I missed
1986 Kalin Cellars “Sonoma” Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
1985 Kalin Cellars “Sonoma” Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
1979 Heitz Cellars “Napa” Cabernet Sauvignon
1978 Burgess Cellars “Vintage Selection” Cabernet Sauvignon
1977 Château Montelena “Estate” Cabernet Sauvignon
1975 Sterling Vineyards “Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon
2000 Tarlant La Vigne Dantan Blanc de Blancs
Plus a mixed grill of pork tenderloin, steak and Toulouse sausages
Family always comes first (I was in ER till almost 2), but a bit frustrating to miss great wines (which I heard showed well). She had surgery Sat afternoon (Betsy had returned from NC by then), is doing well, but rehab will be a challenge with a 93 year old with dementia.
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 the only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.