Sunday Afternoon Grilling Chez Pelz

We had some friends over yesterday afternoon to celebrate the glorious Austin weather and thoughtful conversation. I decided to grill a variety of foods. It was a very relaxed afternoon with the adults talking while our kids all played. The notes are therefore more informal than usual, but I think they render a reasonable picture of the wine quality. Only thing missing...some Rose...have to do that next time.

As an Aperitif

• N.V. Jean Milan Champagne Blanc de Blancs Spécial Grand Cru - France, Champagne, Oger, Champagne
  As usual, this is a very reliable Champagne to start the evening off with. Fresh zingy acidity, nice apple and some interesting toasty nut flavors. If I would want to complain about something, it is that this bottle showed more advanced than I thought it should have with a light gold color and a bit of creaminess. Overall, still enjoyable to drink, but I'll drink the remaining 3 bottles before the end of the year...I am not sure if waiting will be rewarded with this one.

With the grilled foods

- chicken skewers
- beef skewers
- NY Strip (grass-fed)
- Hamburgers (grass-fed)
- Boudin Sausage (homemade by one of our guest)
- Assorted Sausages (homemade by one of our guest)
- grilled artichoke with EVOO and Fleur de Sel
- Salads
- Creme Brulee, Ice Cream, Watermelon

• 2000 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chante Le Merle Vieilles Vignes - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  This bottle wasn't nearly as fresh and exciting as the last one. It seemed a touch lighter and more advanced in its development. Very soft and unusually gamey on the palate. Dominated by plum and raspberry. Finish is good and texture is silky, almost a little like an older Burgundy. I really wonder if this bottle was slightly off. Very good, but nowhere near sa good sa the last bottle a year ago.


• 2006 Château de Parenchère Cuvée Raphaël - France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur
  One of the guest brought this bottle and despite this being a "lesser" Bordeaux wine (Bordeaux Superieur), this was fabulous in its own right. Nice, ripe fruit, very little tannin relative to the Pontet we drank afterwards, but great freshness and dryness which made this a fun wine to drink with our grilled foods. Finished well. Probably not something that I think will reward cellaring, but it's really solid drinking right now.


• 1994 Château Pontet-Canet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
  Unlike the Bosquet Chantemerle CdP that preceded this bottle, this was significantly better than my previous bottle a couple of years ago. It still has searing tannins that require some decanting and gentle aeration, and it is still very early in the drinking window. The fruit shows tremendously well right now, along with some cigar box. That said, I think this will turn out significantly better with tertiary notes and aromas when they arrive five years or more down the road. This is clearly a very backward wine, but I think there's plenty of fruit to match the structure.