No notes, a quiet celebration for my wife and me as I have successfully ticked another box in the years-on-planet category today. Feeling older...I think.
Cailleze-Lemaire Eclats, Lot No. 0514; A newer bottle than what was previously in the cellar. I'll capture notes on a future bottle. Palate seems a little subdued from prior lot, perhaps more time in bottle is deserved.
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On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our Conductor Anna Rakitina (BSO’s Assistant Conductor) is leading Elena LANGER (Figaro Gets a Divorce, Orchestral Suite), RAVEL (Piano Concerto in G) and ELGAR (Opus 36, Enigma Theme). The soloist for the piano concerto tonight is none other than Jean-Yves Thibaudet, our absolute favorite pianist (or piano-player as Emanuel Ax has been noted to say because he thinks the traditional term sounds funny when spoken), a never-to-be-missed event for us whenever he plays these hallowed grounds. (In 2004 Jean-Yves served as president of the Hospices de Beaune, factoid for any wine nerds who are also classical music nerds.) — 3 years ago
2020 | Chardonnay
Patrick Piuze; Terrior de Chablis
Burgundy; Chablis, France
(Montmains adjacent vineyards)
(90-92; Drink 2026-32)
On the Lawn at Tanglewood this afternoon with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest conductor is Anna Rakitina (BSO assistant conductor), leading Ellen REID (When the World as You’ve Known It Doesn’t Exist), PAGANINI (Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, Opus 6) with renowned soloist Joshua Bell, and PROKOFIEV (Suite from Romeo and Juliet; Suite No. 1, Opus 64-bis / Suite No. 2, Opus 64-ter / Suite No. 3, Opus 101). — a year ago
Nose has yellow apple peel, pear slice, straw and beach sand.
Palate has tangerine zest, ripe pear, under-ripe yellow peach, cold clementine orange with medium acidity and slightly dry finish.
A nice bottle; not sure if this wants more time, or a couple years past prime...
On the sold out (18K+ patrons) Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest Conductor Ken-David Masur is leading a 90th birthday celebration of John Williams. BSO soloists tonight are J. Williams Hudgins (vibraphone) & Jessica Zhou (harp), joined by Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Branford Marsalis (saxophone), Eric Revis (bass) and James Taylor (vocals/guitar). A truly wonderful night lay ahead, and my money is certainly on hearing at least one or two Star Wars movements this evening... — 2 years ago
NV | Champagne
(80% Pinot Noir / 20% Chardonnay)
Champage Drappier; Charles de Gaulle Brut
Côte des Bar; Bar-sur-Aube, Urville, France
(92-94; Drink 2025-32)
LH 09210; Disgorgement July 2022
On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. For Opening Night 2023 our conductor Andris Nelsons is leading Wynton MARSALIS (Herald, Holler, and Hallelujah), PROKOFIEV (Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Opus 26) with pianist Daniil Trifonov and then TCHAIKOVSKY (Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Opus 36). — a year ago
Notes are cumbersome, so no notes today but plus side, scores are honest and I should be a professional reviewer, LOL. (This wine was crazy, one of the best Gamay I've had...)
On the Lawn at Tanglewood this final afternoon with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our guest conductor Michael Tilson Thomas is leading IVES (Psalm 90) and BEETHOVEN (Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Opus 125).
After a two-year pause, we arrive again to the day when Beethoven concludes on these hallowed grounds. The 9th by Beethoven is always bittersweet for us, as it marks the end of the official Symphony and Pops season for the BSO at their Summer home. It is a wonderful and singularly emotive piece moved with the full force of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus (110+) conveying the message of a divine spark of joy that makes all people one. The music and the day almost bring me to tears on an annual basis...
'Freude, schöner Götterfunken!' / 'Joy, beauteous, godly spark!' — 2 years ago
Just the best Moscato d'Asti money can buy, you'll never have more enjoyment packed into another bottle!
Our final bottle of the 2017 vintage.
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On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, without orchestra or conductor 😉. Three humble souls playing an all BEETHOVEN program (Piano Trio No. 3 in C minor (Opus 1, No. 3) and Symphony No. 2 in D (Opus 36, arr. for piano trio by Beethoven)) with a few of the best players of instruments containing strings, Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Leonidas Kavakos (violin) and Emanuel Ax (piano). A true delight for lovers of Classical music this evening! — 3 years ago
Severn Goodwin
2010 | Chardonnay
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix; Vaillon 1er Cru
Burgundy; Chablis, France
(90-92; Drink 2025-33)
On the Lawn at Tanglewood this evening with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Our conductor Andris Nelsons is leading John WILLIAMS (Violin Concerto No. 2, written specifically for the intended soloist this evening) featuring the violin virtuoso, Anne-Sophie Mutter, STRAUSS (Death and Transfiguration, Opus 24) and then RAVEL (La Valse). — a year ago