TN: Chevillon PTG, UrbansHof, 2nd of HBB, LI merlot Betsy had invited some friends of hers to dinner. Too many folks to sit down at our table, so we did buffet style. Menu was some of our summer favorites, a chicken salad with tarragon (from Danny Kaye, apparently), as well as Cambodian corn, appetizers of fig-proscuitto and smoked trout-horserasdish, and a few other munchies. Plan was to eat on patio, but heat was ferocious, so we stayed in AC. I served two whites and one chilled red: 2001 St. Urbans Hof Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Kabinett (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer) Nice clean peach and lime flavors, a steely minerality on finish. Much better than a previous bottle (probably because this came from a more dependable source). Still, a little short on the finish, nothing stunning here. B 1999 Plantiers du Haut-Brion (Pessac-Leognan). Medium-bodied, a little grbutt over a base of apple and lemon-lime fruit. A little oakiness, but not obtrusive. Not bad, but there's a slight oxidative note on the finish, this is not tasting especially fresh. Unfortunate reminder that for my tastes, Bordeaux blanc is seldom a deal. B- 2002 Chevillon Bourgogne Pbuttetoutgrains Good crisp acidity, bright strawberry and cherry fruit, lively finish. Fun slurping wine. With some air fruit shows as darker and more serious,with a little damp earth. Good $10 wine. B-B+ A guest had brought the 2000 Castello di Borghese Hargrave Vineyard Merlot (North Fork). A bit too much oak showing at moment, all vanilla ice cream with cherries. A little soft for me. There's pretty decent concentration for a Long Island Merlot, but finish fades and this doesn't grab my interest. B--C+ Nice 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. 
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