[wine] red, whites and pinks

Jim, here are the brief notes. I thought it was great fun, no bad wines and good food. A nice variety. The theme was red and whites with a lighter touch for the warm weather. Pink wines and sparkling was also encouraged. We were sequestored in the back room at Muffuletta. Billecart-Salmon NV Champagne / led off the evening and I kept a bit in a glass until the end. It was very nice, creamy and mature but not at all tired. "one of the most dependable NV champagnes available" ... for $27 Pine Ridge 2003 Chenin Blanc (81%) Viogner (19%) / Some tasters sensed the presence of the Chenin in this nicely balanced, restrained wine. Some guessed old world. Omaka Springs 2002 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc / wow, green pepper that never softened. Crisp and very lively but a bit sharp. Mankloof Wine Collection 2003 South African Chenin Blanc / varietal had most of us stumped but after pulling the bag we could see a similarity with the Pine Ridge. Sweet fruit flavors and little acidity, seemed very warm blooded. Dr. Konstantin Frank 2001 Johanisberg, Finger Lakes Riesling / seemed old world to some (a good thing) pungeont nose and dancing acid. A well proportioned reisling. Lawson's Dry Hills 2004 Marlborough Pinot Noir Rose / We all liked this pretty, deeply colored rose wine. Strawberry and raspberry fruits in nose and flavor with charming, nearly dry finish. Why do we not drink more rose? go to Solo Vino for a vast selection. Louis Tete 2001 "La Tot" Beaujolais Village / this one has appeared on previous Thursday evenings. A true country French wine with an edge of gravel to temper its soft approachable fruit. Mas de Gourgonnier 2002 Le Baux de Provence / perhaps the darkest wine of the night, not heavy though, with some earth and floral notes along with red fruit and texture on the palate. August Kesseler 2002 Spatbergunder Rheingau "Cuvee Max" troken / the wine of the night if only because it was such a welcome surprise. We sensed Pinot but the bottle shape was wrong (silly us). Some spice and dill notes, proper acidity and a lingering herbal red fruit finish. Good with the salmon and dashi. Monsanto 2000 Chianti Classico / several picked up on the Italianate nature of this red but we missed Tuscan origin. Be aware that wild boar is on the Muffuletta specials sheet and this wine made the best match with that. very balanced and elegant with no indication that its ready to quite being very good.