Labor Day forecast was iffy, but we pressed on with plans for a backyard bash. Close to 90 degrees, horrible humidity, but a big crowd showed and seemed to have a good time. About 4 hours into party we had a 10 minute downpour, but people headed into the AC or huddled under trees and patio umbrella, and then party resumed. I had made a selection of salsas (tomatillo/avocado/poblano, mango, & pico di gallo) and an Asian slaw; Betsy made potato salad and dozens of skewers- pork brochettes with a grilled tomato/chile sauce and cumin seeds, chicken kebabs with coconut curry, and shrimp with a garlicky pesto. We also grilled some sirloin, hot dogs, eggplant, and corn. Lots of good food was brought by guests- I grilled bulgogi, sausage, elk burgers, 2 porgies from Montauk, and more. Various green salads and slaws, grain salads, a caprese, a wonderful beet and nut salad, and several desserts. I have forgotten a lot (and some things got eaten while I was grilling).
Roses
2013 Domaine du Fondreche (mag)
Crisp strawberries, some light floral notes, minerally finish, very good and the mag is first thing drained. B+
2013 Edmunds St John Bone Jolly
Delicious as usual, fresh, sassy. B++
2013 Miraval Rose
This is the Pitt/Jolie wine. Really not bad at all- wild strawberry, some herby notes, pretty straightforward Provencal rose. I wouldn’t buy because of stupid bottle shape and price, but certainly quaffable. B
Whites
2012 Pepiere Muscadet
Saline, crisp, classic. B++
2013 Lacheteau Vouvray
Sec tendre, a bit simple, but clean and well-fruited and with decent acid balance. B-
2012 Cowan Cellars Sauvignon Blanc (Lake County)
Wait a minute. I didn’t bring this up from cellar. But no one else at this party would be on this list. Aha, a regifter. Yep, turns out I carried to Donathan’s and it wasn’t opened, and they grabbed first white they saw in their cabinet. OK, the wine.This doesn’t bear the Isa designation, and I don’t think this is skin-fermented. More typically SB than the Isa, grapefruit and a hint of herbiness, nice balance, good wine. B+/B
2010 Gunderloch Nackenheimer Rothenberg Riesling Spatlese
Plenty of sugar but extraordinary acids keep it razorsharp. White peach and lime, lots of body, fresh and long. Maybe best Gunderloch I remember. A-
2012 Maynes Macon-Cruzille
Fresh, clean, pear fruit, tasty. B
There was also a Leitz Kab, 2011 I think, but I didn't take notes and someone took bottle home with them
Reds (mostly enjoyed in the AC!)
1979 Giscours
Beautiful, feminine, elegant and delightful. Complex floral nose with leather and tobacco notes. Fully mature but not faded. A-
1979 Prieure-Lichine
Still alive (in my opinion) but on its last legs. Cigarbox edging toward ashtray, but still some red fruit. Tannin gone, acids dominate. Interesting. I mention it’s from Gregory Peck’s cellar, Mark says “like Gregory Peck it’s decomposing.” I like more than he does. B-/B
1978 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)
Very nice showing. Cedar/cigarbox, spice, red fruits. Fully mature, nicely balanced with bright acids. B+
1989 du Fieuzal
Rather rich exotic nose with ripe cassis and sandalwood, but somewhat short and clipped on palate, with a roasted edge to the fruit. B-
1994 Lakespring Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)
I can’t believe this is the first red emptied. Disjointed and cracking up, overripe fruit is all stewed, finish is short. C/C-
1998 Vieux Chateau Chauvin
Midbodied, black and red currant fruit, earth, just a hint of oak. Easy drinking, good for a cheap '98 St. Emilion. B
2010 Desvignes “Javernieres” Morgon
This was too cold at first (straight out of cooler) and it made the tannins stand out. As it cooled to cellar temp it became a delight- black cherry, smoke, some green herbs. Balanced and long. B+/A-
Despite the muggy temps and the brief downpour, a very fun party with friends.
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.