We were going to a party Saturday night, but it started late and
wasn't really to be dinner, so we had an early light supper on the
patio- hot dogs, cole slaw, and leftover green beans. Wine was the
2007 St. Urbans-Hof Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Kabinett. Clean and
straightforward, some peach and Fuji apple fruit and a little slate
and saline on finish. OK, not compelling, might be fair deal at $15 it
seems to be most places, not at the $19.99 the local high-priced store
charges. B/B-

A nice evening, warm but with moderate humidty and a steady breeze.
After dinner we walked to Alex and Hilary's, where they were getting a
jump on 14 Juillet with an early party. Great night to be outdoors
(well, the dancing was indoors, and we gathered for an offkey karaoke
mass-sing of La Marseillaise). Lots of wines, though it was difficult
to see labels, as they were on a table lit only by a couple candles. I
think I noted the following correctly:

Bubbly:
NV Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace
Baked apple and dough (apple turnovers!), ok but a little simple. B-

White

2005 Ch. de la Roulerie Chenin (Loire, but I missed appellation)
Lemony, a little wax, clean if a bit dilute. B-

2007 Villa Maria "Private Bin" Sauvignon Blanc
Tropical fruit, moderate acidity, a bit short. B-

2006 Deinhard Riesling (Mosel)
In a strange lightly frosted bottle, light peach and apricot flavors,
quite short, off-dry, inoffensive but empty. C+

2006 Jean Luc Colombo "La Violette" Viognier
Floral nose, but on the palate a really almost chemical edge. This was
nasty and I dumped. D

2005 Huet Le Mont Vouvray Sec (from half-bottle)
Normally I shy away from the Richard Nixon thing, but there was a
little hiding of this. My friend Fred recently got his wine educator
certification, and his favorite region is the Loire. So I was shocked
recently when he said he never had tasted a Huet. I brought this for
him to taste, then he stashed in fridge. A couple other more geeky
folks tried also, and I did have a second taste. Ok, so I brought it,
but this was WOTN by a big margin for me. Infanticide, but flat out
lovely. A beautiful melange of wool, wax, nuts, lemon zest, apples,
and honey. Dry but with a sweet core. Great acidity, vibrant
mouthfeel, long. LONG. Lovely. A-/A

Rosé
2007 Sables d'Azur rosé
Unsure if this was correct name. Ott shaped bottle, only neck tag
remained (perils of chilling in ice water). Clean and easy, quite
simple. B-

2007 Jaboulet Parallel 45 Cotes du Rhone rosé
Sweet strawberry preserves, ok acidity, a bigger rose, better than I
expected. B

Red
2005 Ch. de la Roulerie Cab Franc
Short and unappealing, a little green pepper behind raspberry fruit. C
+

2005 Fabrice Gasnier Chinon
Never heard of producer before,but I liked this. Ripe redcurrant and
plum fruit, a hint of tobacco leaf, some smoke. Good length, nice
midweight. B+

2004 Powers Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (I believe there might
have been a vineyard designate, but didn't note)
Big, sweet fruit, tons of vanillin oak. Rather obvious, I'm sure
others liked more than I- just stylistically not my thing. B-

1998 Ch. d'Aighuilhe (Cotes de Castillon)
So this bottle was almost empty, and person who brought it was saying
it was tight. I actually think it was corked. I was getting just a
hint of damp cardboard, I think this was an example of "fruit
scalping."

2005 Jourdan Cote de Nuits Villages
Not a producer I know, but this was actually a pretty nice Burg. Clean
pinot cherry fruit, some spice, a little hint of earth. B+/B

2005 Ch. Peybonhomme les Tours (1er Cotes de Blaye)
Pretty good for level, nice balance of fruit, tannin, and acidity.
Enough concentration to keep it interesting, nice Merlot-y mouthfeel.
Black plum and dark berry, a little cigarbox, a little graphite. Good
wine for price ($12). B/B+

Fun night. Weather was nice, and made for a pleasant hike home. Happy
Bastille Day!

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.
*