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Rahsaan

Rahsaan
Was at a party the other night with lots and lots of wines. These were the five that stuck in my head.

2005 Paumonok Assemblage was my first exposure to Long Island wine and it certainly wasnt bad. But not very distinctive. Maybe I need to taste more to find the Long Island terroir but this did not taste like any cabernet-family grapes to me. It was just generically dark and pleasant. Plus, I understand this costs $40ish and that seems way too expensive for the simple sweetish pleasure that this delivers. (Of course that criticism could be aimed at lots of regions across the US and Europe, which I realize).

Nothing sweet about the tart and slightly-diapery 2008 Villemade Cheverny Rouge. Serviceably punchy peppery and juicy but I much much much preferred the 2008 Tue-Boeuf Rouillon from the night before.

I dont often buy the low level Clape wines but the 2008 Clape VdT Le Vin des Amis was rockin and rollin for my palate and was compelling for opening and pouring down the throats of a large convivial crowd. Might be a bit inconsequential for meditation at the table, but when large and convivial.

I dont know if it is the vintage or if it just needs time but the 2008 Ich VdP Les Hrtiques was too blobby grapey and unformed for me to really hang my palate on it. I much preferred the 2007 Oupia Minervois Rouge for its definition and textural character.
 
I offer this 'hearing note' from the handouts at a concert of four Haydn trios that I attended yesterday (played by The Queen's Chamber Trio):

In the G minor Trio's first movement (marked Andante) Haydn moves back and forth between two distinct short pieces: the first in G minor and its complement in G Major. Their binary form hearkens back to dance movements of Baroque suites. By virtue of the innate qualities of the key, the G minor section expresses a passionate intensity and drama with a touch of Hungarian flavor. Meanwhile the G Major portion communicates a sunny, relatively uncomplicated serenity. Variations of each section follow, as does a carefree G Major Presto in 6/8 time to complete the movement.

Actually, this is merely one paragraph excerpted from six pages of material but I think this hearing note and a tasting note have striking similarities: both include specifics of the making (e.g., tempi/time markings and the terroir of the two keys), discussion of the structure of the final piece (e.g., binary motives), reference to similar pieces heard before (e.g., Baroque suites), and airy-fairy language about the sun, passion, and Hungary.

I think that the mix of analogy and judgments, dotted with a few facts, is simply the way that people naturally communicate in a non-technical realm (e.g., consumption of artisanal products, be they music or food).

So, whether it's cherry-berry or punchy serviceability, that's the best people know how to do.
 
rahsaan

after much haggling, the politburo and i have agreed on a fat-ideological-response* to your submitted five-year-tasting-commentary-plan. it goes like this: "while your sincerity is unquestioned, your glass is half empty way too often. buck up man!"

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ps. the thingirl says she thinks your notes are way too finicky and cock-monkeyesque. this is not a good thing. see above.

[*those of you lame enough to waste their time on crosswords and such shit can suck up this little fatfactet on the true etymology of "fatuous."]
 
Thanks for the helpful comments.

Although if you think I'm too finicky, I guess you haven't been reading your own posts.
 
though i much preferred "fathead" for its definition and textural character.

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