With the lobster glut, we've gotten used to $4-5 lb sales for chicks,
but lately Fairway has had $6/lb for larger ones, so Saturday I got a
4-pounder. Served with melted butter, corn, tomato salad and the 2007
Au Bon Climat "Bien Nacido" Chardonnay. The lobster was better than
the wine- I think of ABC as more vibrant than most CalChards, but
while this did have some good acidity, I thought the sweet canned
tropical fruit element approached cloying. C+

We decided to have our Labor Day party on Sunday instead of Monday, a
bit smaller than usual, but still about 3 dozen folks. Betsy made
fried chicken, sweet potato/scallion salad, roasted pepper salad, and
guacamole. I was in charge of bulgogi hanger steak, bluefish
Dijonnais. mango salsa, & hot dogs. We had a large platter of goat,
leftovers from a party Dave had previous afternoon, with tortillas and
salsa. Others brought a huge assortment of desserts, salads, chicken
wings, deviled eggs, etc. A perfect day- clear, low humidity, mid 70s
with a light breeze. And, of course, some wine:

Pinks

NV Clos Boutes "Le Pluriel" Rose
Strawberries, grass, clean and straightforward, not especially complex
but a great apertif. B

2009 Ch. Bellevue La Foret (Fronton)
Strawberries, red cherries, a dose of RS (though marketed as dry).
Very herby. B-

2009 Guion Rose
Spice and red fruit, my favorite rose of the day. B/B+

Whites
2008 Luneau-Papin "Pierre Blanches" Muscadet
I thought this was corked at first, then decided ok. Saline, citrus,
good length, a bit mute- still not 100% sure on this one. NR

1992 Hans Wirsching Iphofer Julius-Echter-Berg Silvaner Spatlese
Trocken (Franconia)
I decanted this so bottle wouldn't give away, blinded John D with it.
His first guess was Alsace Riesling (not bad guess), he quickly got
Silvaner once I said it wasn't Riesling. Very floral with petrol
nuances, good length, mineral, not at all tired. Not especially deep
or complex, but nice mature wine at a bargain price. B+

2008 Domaine de Gioielli Blanc de Blancs Sec (Coteaux du Cap Corse)
I believe John said this was Vermentino. Herby, rich, good acidity,
medium body. B/B+

2009 Clos Roche Blanche "#2" Sauvignon (Touraine)
Larger framed vintage of this wine,but still a good acidic backbone.
Orange zest, citrus with a hint of just mowed grass. B+

2008 Willi Schaefer Riesling QbA
Fresh, light, vibrant, green apples with a little limeade, delicious
basic estate wine. B++

Reds
2008 Sandro Fay Rosso di Valtellina
I've generally quite a fan of this,and have liked this vintage, but
this seemed a bit dull- red fruit, a little hint of tar, but a touch
clipped. This bottle a B-/C+

2008 Drouhin Beaujolais-Villages
Surprisingly rich, medium bodied with good fruit and acids,and a touch
of tannin. B/B+

1971 Anforia Barolo
My last of these from an unknown producer. A fair dose of VA, hint of
brett, but underneath there's a real red fruit meets newly tarred road
Baroloness. Divisive wine. For me, B

NV Marietta Lot 51 Old Vine Red Wine
After some unimpressive lots, this is what I used to like about the
Marietta. Juicy, fresh, forward, happy go lucky wine. B

2008 Guion "Cuvee Domaine" Bourgueil
Didn't take notes but I liked, as always!

Sweet
1982 Freemark Abbey Edelwein Gold
Dark, thick, reminds one of a TBA. Caramel, toffee, butterscotch.
Rich, deep, long. Great stuff, thanks John! A-/A

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.*

On Sep 6, 2:55*pm, DaleW > wrote:
> With the lobster glut, we've gotten used to $4-5 lb sales for chicks,
> but lately Fairway has had $6/lb for larger ones, so Saturday I got a
> 4-pounder. Served with melted butter, corn, tomato salad and the 2007
> Au Bon Climat "Bien Nacido" Chardonnay. The lobster was better than
> the wine- I think of ABC as more vibrant than most CalChards, but
> while this did have some good acidity, I thought the sweet canned
> tropical fruit element approached cloying. C+

I have not had a "regular" bottle of ABC Chardonnay in years. They
have to make a living, but their outstanding wines in the past that
age so well are all reserves and need at least 10 years before
drinking in the better years. Thus did the label give any other
description than the name of the vineyard,"Bien Nacido"? In the past I
have bought reserves labeled Reserve Bien Nacido and Le Bouge D a Cote
Bien Nacido. If this is not a reserve, I have no concern. If it is a
reserve, the quality of the wine has gone way down in recent years, as
there is no excuse for selling a wine as a reserve when it is not
something special. For the top reserves in the past I would say buy
them only if you can store them well for about 10 years at least.

On Sep 6, 6:29*pm, cwdjrxyz > wrote:
>Thus did the label give any other
> description than the name of the vineyard,"Bien Nacido"? I

Santa Maria Valley."Santa Barbara Historic Vineyards Collection" no
mention of reserve