Yesterday was a scorcher, and I was a little hesitant to venture to the
riverfront concert. But I was to meet some friends, so I headed out
(sans hound) and found a spot in the shade. There were gaps on the lawn
as all the sunny spots were deserted, and periodic subtle shifts in the
crowd as the lowering sun redefined the shady areas. A pleasant band (a
German guy leading a Brazilian playing "summer jazz"), warm but
reasonable in the shade. The usual great view. I got out my food -
bread, a rather dry aged chevre (I thought fresher would implode in
the heat), soppresatta, Roaring 40s, & Vermont Shepherd's Wheel.
=20
The two wines I brought we
2004 Luneau-Papin "Domaine Pierre de La Grange" Vieilles Vignes
Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie
Now there's a name. Pleasant ,fresh, and crisp, some crushed seashell/
limestone notes. Very nice, but not as compelling to me as the
comparably priced Pepiere. B+/B

2004 Domaine Gaujal de Saint Bon Ros=E9 (VdP C=F4tes de Thau)
Nice crisp rose, bright strawberry fruit with a touch of herb leaves
and a nice clean finish. Quite nice and the only bottle emptied. B+

Friends were along soon with chicken, salads, and a couple more bottles
of wine :

1 +1 =3D3 Cava Brut
The Muscadet has the longest name, this has the strangest. Nice mousse,
dry and a little yeasty, pretty forward with a little mango on top of
the ripe red apple fruit. Good inexpensive sparkler for a picnic. B

2004 Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio
Actually better than I expect. Not a lot of there there, but it's
clean. Not a lot of concentration, but there's nothing offensive.
Nothing "wrong" with it, but no reason to buy it. B-/C+

After the band finished we watched the sunset over the Palisades and
enjoyed the evening. With Betsy gone far better to have done that than
sit in my ACed cocoon alone.

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.

"DaleW" > wrote in news:1121962515.165944.126110
@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com:
>
> The two wines I brought we
> 2004 Luneau-Papin "Domaine Pierre de La Grange" Vieilles Vignes
> Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie
> Now there's a name. Pleasant ,fresh, and crisp, some crushed seashell/
> limestone notes. Very nice, but not as compelling to me as the
> comparably priced Pepiere. B+/B


This is a favorite of mine. And one the inexpensive whites that made me a
Loire-Lover. BTW, I think you commited a bit of infanticide with this 2004.
I do not know how the 2004 was for the Loire, but I would not hesitate to
buy a case of this wine and drink one bottle every 6 months. You will be
amazed how well it drinks with 2 or 3 years in bottle.

Best,

Santiago

Maybe I'll stick away a couple. In general, I like Muscadet younger
rather than older. Though I've enjoyed the '89 Luneau-Papin "L d'Or"
and just bought the '97 of the same.
I used to believe that Muscadet HAD to be drunk young. Now I know
better, but still like most young (though I also just put away some '04
Pepiere Briords - that I felt could use time).

"DaleW" > wrote in news:1121975022.083441.233050
@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> I used to believe that Muscadet HAD to be drunk young. Now I know
> better, but still like most young (though I also just put away some '04
> Pepiere Briords - that I felt could use time).

99% of Muscadet is supposed to be drunk young. And then there is a 1% of
wine from producers like Pierre Luneau-Papin or Guy Bossard that can stand
up to 10 years of cellaring, improving with time. And they are so cheap!!!

Same thing happens with Rias Baixas (aka as Albariño). 99% of Rias Baixas
whites are supposed to be drunk the summer after the vintage. Now, put away
a case of Lusco, Do Ferreiro or Fillaboa and forget about them for two
years.

Best,

Santiago