Thread: TN: New Years Eve wines

On Jan 1, 11:14*am, DaleW <Dwmi...@aol.com> wrote:
> We were going to a party for NYE, but Betsy wanted to have a light
> dinner first. She made clams in a lemongrass broth with udon, wine was
> the 2004 Francois Cotat *“Culs de Beaujeu” Sancerre. Lovely SB,
> gooseberries and lemon with a light hint of herbs, but virtually no
> grassiness. Mouthfilling texture, bright acidity, excellent length.
> Carried along to the party it was if anything better several hours
> later, good Sancerre that could use a couple more years, but is damn
> tasty now. A-
>
> Off to party about 9. We carried an assortment of appetizer- I topped
> potatoes with sour cream and salmon roe, plus simmered some Chinese
> sausage and Ukrainian kielbasa in a sherry rosemary mix. *Betsy made
> shrimp deviled eggs and tossed some pears with salt and cayenne and
> then speared with bacon. Alex had huge platters of gravlax and tuna
> tartare, his sister from Provence had made pissaladiere-ish
> flatbreads, plus there were salads, cheeses, etc. I was kind of sorry
> we had eaten first, but ate anyway. Multiple wines:
>
> NV Pinon Touraine Brut Rose
> Lovely and lithe, this is a tad lighter and more elegant than previous
> batch (which I also loved). Strawberry fruit that has beautiful
> sweetness, yet it's bone dry on palate. Fine mousse, good length, fun
> and delicious. B+/A-
>
> 2007 Clos de la Fine Muscadet
> Citrus and minerals, nice acidity, tasty. B
>
> 2005 Carbonnieux Blanc
> Generally I like Carbonnieux's white, but this is surprisingly marked
> by wood. Fatter rounder style, suffers from following the Cotat. I
> think some time to absorb the oak will do this good, but for now B-
>
> 2004 Les Grands Marechaux (1er Cotes de Blaye)
> This was the primary red of the evening. Consistent from several
> bottles. Red plum fruit with a light note of bell pepper, easy
> tannins, not bad as long as you're not especially sensitive to green
> notes. B/B-
>
> 2005 Ch. de Beaumont (1er Cotes de Blaye)
> Medium-bodied, some stern tannins, black plums and currants, not very
> long. B-
>
> NV Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Brut
> I've had varying experiences with this over the years, this wasn't one
> of the good ones. Green notes under apple fruit, coarse, short finish.
> C+
>
> 1999 Charles Ellner "Cuvee Prestige" Champagne Brut
> Aggressively yeasty, full-bodied, rough mousse, biggest bubbly of
> night but I was a bit disappointed (my bottle). B-
>
> NV *Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Reserve
> Quite a pleasant surprise. Full-bodied with smooth texture, delicate
> mousse, fruit and minerals well-integrated with yeast roll note. Never
> been on my list, I might look for this. B+
>
> Fun night, though my poor French made conversation impossible with
> half the guests. We had fun, Betsy drove home, and Happy New Year to
> all.
>
> Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
> wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. 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.
> *

oops, left off one wine. 2004 Le Galantin Bandol. Black plums,
leather, a little prune. Firm tannins, good length, not bad, but I
liked less than others. B-