Saturday we went to a housewarming party. Alex and Hilary and their
three kids had moved from a tiny teeny weeny 1802 house to a huge
rambling late Victorian. It seemed they'd invited most of the
population of the Rivertowns, as well as most of the French population
of NYC. A fantastic cheese platter, assorted salads, and a lot of
drink. A beautiful night, we mostly stayed outside. Wines included:

2004 Clos Roche Blanche Pineau d'Aunis Ros=E9 (Touraine)
I brought this very pale, very fun ros=E9. Bright strawberry fruit with
some rosemary and flinty mineral notes, good stuff. Unfortunately,
quickly drained. B+

2004 Iche (Oupia) "Les Heretiques" (Vin de Pays de l'H=E9rault)
My other contribution, fun easy wine with just enough structure and
complexity to keep one's interest. Red plum fruit, some pleasant herby
notes. This just got a NYTimes panel best value ranking, so I'm sure
it's going up, luckily have most of a case at the $7 price. Solid B

2004 Cortijo III Rioja
Hmm, I thought this was a decent cheap wine in previous vintages, but
this is not doing it for me. Dull red cherry fruit, a lifted nose,
short finish. There's a clipped edge to the fruit, and a disjointed
feeling overall. C+/C

2003 Marques de Caceres Rosado (Rioja)
Sweet-cherry fruit, heavy for a ros=E9. B-/C+

2004 Marques de Caceres Blanco (Rioja)
Quite a bit better. Clean pear and peach fruit, light floral notes.
Refreshing and easy if simple white. B

2003 Recusi Chardonnay (Napa) - pear juice in a oaken cup, nothing to
see here folks, move along. B-/C+

2002 Mauritson Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma) - very round ripe style of
Cabernet, some cassis and black plum fruit, round tannins. Might be ok
with a steak, but a bad idea for a sipping glass as I've finished
eating. But decent for style. B/B-

By time Betsy got there after a performance the party was winding down.
We enjoyed sitting around outside with Alex and Hilary, with a glass of

2001 Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon
Clear clean black fruit, short finish, medium-bodied. OK for a value
CS. B/B-

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.