Last night we went to a Farm to Table dinner hosted by my friends Alex
and Fred. Fun night, nice crowd. Fred had a selection of mostly
natural wines, but I also carried some bonus bottles.

We were greeted with toasted raclette on baguette with cornichon, and
a glass of the NV Domaine des Plageoles "Nature" (Gaillac). Nice,
reminds me of a cross between artisanal apple cider and Champagne. I
had assumed the "nature" meant no dosage, but this had some definite
sweetness. B/B-

First course was a winter squash soup with creme fraiche, the red was
a
2008 Domaine du Mortier. Not sure of the appellation on this one- no
vintage on bottle (just cork), and it says Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
in tiny letters on front. Maybe it's a St Nic, but I wondered if it
was a VdT and that was just winery address. In any case light framed
Cab Franc, raspberry/cranberry with a weedy edge, and a bit of brett.
*B-

Main course was Choucroute garnie a l'Alsacienne.

2008 Binner "Les Saveurs"- Edelswicker style blend. Light, floral,
with a bit of tropical fruit and litchi. B/B-

2007 Binner "Ammerschwihr" Riesling
A bit cloudy, rich with citrus and peach fruit, a little petrol and
slate. B

2007 Leon Beyer Riesling
There was a lone bottle of this, and maybe it had been opened
previously, because it had a real oxidative edge. Apple peels, apple,
dry finish. If this is the wine, C/C+

1999 Trimbach "Cuvee Frederic Emile" Riesling
This showed quite well. Lime and grapefruit, apple, some petrol. Nice
mouthfeel, excellent length. I wish a recent '99 CSH has showed this
nicely! A-

Dessert was tarte tatin, and I opened a 2002 Chidaine Montlouis
Moelleux. Not that much sweeter than average demi-sec, good acidity,
extraordinarily popular, but I was slightly disappointed, as it seems
a bit simple and foursquare. Tasty? yes. Complex? No. B-

Fun night.

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.*