Bob and Carol Davis were over for dinner and wine. Out on our back porch appropriately distanced socially, of course. We started with two champagnes, cheeses, crostini, etc.

NV Pertois-Moriset Champagne Grand Cru Les Quatres Terroirs

Nice yeasty nose. Crisp fruit, apples, lemon, a bit of brioche. Lively acidity, great balance. Great bottle. “A”

NV Francis Cossy Champagne Ephemere Extra Brut

Delicately perfumed nose. Fine, energetic bead. Bright, crisp fruit, lemon, thyme. Great minerality. Brilliant acidity, great balance. Finishes very long and crisp with finely balanced acidity. Bone dry and just beautiful. “A”

The main was roasted Sockeye Salmon with a Vegetable Tian (Ina Garten recipe and just great). With it we had two more wines.

2018 Antiquum Farm Pinot Noir Juel Willamette Valley

Bright red in color. Lovely cherry aromas. On the palate the fruit is soft and lovely, strawberry, cherry, bit of spice. Fine tannins, perfectly balanced acidity. Finishes long. Lovely wine. I think it will hold for a number of years at this level, but drinks very well right now. “A-“

2018 Aubert Chardonnay Sugar Shack

Bob’s bottle. Double decanted about 2 hours before service. The nose was tight at first, but gradually presented a pretty, oily lemon aroma. The palate showed subtle, elegant fruit, lemon, hint of peach, spice. Lovely acidity, great balance. Finishes long and spicy. No hint of oak at all. This may well pick up weight with a few years in bottle. “A-“ with possible upside.

Pat made a Lemon Sabayon tart for desert and we had this sticky with it.

2005 Willm Gewurztraminer Sélection de Grains Nobles Cuvée Emile Willm

Alsatian Gewürztraminer. This was a deep gold in color. Lovely nose of honey with some floral notes. The rich, viscous fruit showed lovely lemon and apricot fruit. A beautiful line of acidity cut through the wine. A bit of warm spice on the back of the palate. Cleansing acidity on the finish. It was in no way cloying or overly sweet. Beautiful stuff. I suspect it will hold at a high level for several years. “A”

Charlie