A nice group gathered at Racines on Chambers Street last night to drink some Northern Rhone reds. My first time at Racines, and I totally enjoyed, though it was a little sad to be BYOing with that great list. As we gathered, 3 whites made the rounds

1998 Chave Hermitage Blanc
I'm not a big fan of Rhone whites, but this was pretty lovely, Wax, honey, flowers, powerful and full but not heavy. B+/A-

1997 Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape blanc
Deep golden color, seemed quite advanced. Surprisingly, I thought much better as it got air and got warm, seemed less oxidized and more honied. B/B-

2013 Lise & Bertand Jousset Singulier "Clos Aux Renard" Montlouis
Crisp, nervy, dry, with wax and wool and excellent length.B+

We had an amuse of cauliflower veloute, good but not very cauliflowery

2000 Verset Cornas
Pretty forward, nice depth, herby with a stemmy note, meaty, good length. A-

1995 Verset Cornas
Lots of smoked meat, great acids, earth and flowers. A-/B+

My appetizer was lobster stuffed squash blossom with morcilla and carrot foam, really very tasty

2001 Voge Cornas VV
Brambly berry fruit, cow patty, spice. . Some brett, but a strain that appeals to me.A-/B+

1998 Voge Cornas VV
Earth, pasture, black fruits. Nice texture on the finish. A-

Suzanne had a great idea, we split several orders of fregola "risotto" with chanterelles on top, very wine friendly

1988 Jaboulet "La Chapelle" Hermitage
Black fruit,bacon, pepper, not a big vintage of La Chapelle but quite elegant. A-

1996 Jaboulet "La Chapelle" Hermitage
A bit riper, earthy, forest floor. B+

My main was the porcelet with squash and some delicious ricotta agnolotti


1998 Vallouit " Les Roziers" Cote-Rotie
New one to me. Peppery, a little tart (Bill calls sour), slightly clipped. B-

1998 Jamet Cote-Rotie
Corked., Too bad, I really liked this wine previous time I tried.

2001 Jamet Cote-Rotie
Spicy, young, good but only wine I felt really needed more time. B

1999 Gaillard "Rose Pourpre" Cote-Rotie
Black fruits and cedar, olives. B

We also had a cheese plate- Bayley Hazen is only one I noted name, but good..
Diane had brought a bubbly:
2002 Clos Cazals Blanc de blanc Champagne
Crisp, elegant, fresh baked croissant over pear fruit, quite floral. A-/B+

Nice night, really enjoyed wine, company, and restaurant.
At end of night we did traditional 3/2/1 voting, with Paul using 2 hands (one for Bill who had departed, but Paul said he knew what Bill has said)

2000 Verset 14
1998 Voge 13
2001 Voge 8
1995 Verset 5
1996 Jaboulet 4
1988 Jaboulet 3
2001 Jamet 3
1999 Gaillard 1

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. 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.