WTN: Many good (B+) wines

I just use grades as a form of shorthand. As noted in my disclaimer, I make no claims of consistency. So grades from a big tasting show my preferences within the evening, and a B+ from a wine that went up against up A wines like '75 Evanglie or '78 Haut-Brion isn't neccessarily the same as a B+ within a night of say Dry Creek Chenins. Recently I wrote up this weeks wines (minus the incredible Tuesday), and noted to myself with amusement that I gave all the wines a B+.

So here are 4 disparate wines, all with a B+ score, all worth buying in my opinion:

With a Moroccan pork kebab (grilled with grapes!), carrot salad with harissa, and brown rice, the 2004 Pinon "Cuvée Tradition" Vouvray. Nice acidity, very food-friendly, with just a touch of appley sweetness. A hint of wax, good citrus and apple fruit, chalky finish. The Loire-heads have declared this one sub-standard, but not for my tastes. Good though not great QPR. B+

With Betsy away in NC for concerts and recording, I did the best I could:

2000 Catherine and Claude Marechal "Cuvee Gravel" Bourgogne
This was one of the first wines I bought because of the internet, but I drank through my stash couple years ago. On a whim I bought a few "Jean Marechal Bourgogne" as case-fillers at Sokolin for $10 this spring. Next day I berated myself ("dammit Dale, you know how much first names mean in Burgundy!"), but imagine my delight when it turned out to be the C & C Gravel! Nice funky/earthy Burgundy nose, bright red cherry and raspberry fruit, clean finish. There's a note on the nose I can't put my finger on, but I know it's associated with Betsy's gardening- I think this is "bone meal", but I'm a gardening illiterate. Nice balanced wine- good fruit, clean bright acidity, just enough fine tannins to give structure. Hmmmm, what else do I need from Sokolin to justify buying a couple more of these? Good match with some hamburgers in a red wine and mushroom sauce. B+

2004 Pepiere (Marc Olivier) Muscadet
Minerals and citrus fruit, rocks and apples, chalk and lemon. I think I've used all those before for this wine. Beautiful clean wine. Shockingly good match with some San Daniele proscuitto. B+, but like the Marechal a solid A for value.

2001 Bourgneuf (Pomerol)
Red plum fruit, a little cassis, ripe tannins and a little herbaceousness on nose. The herb notes morph into smoke & spice. Medium bodied, lacking the textural lushness of a great Pomerol, but this is pretty good for $20. Good match with rosemaried-grilled lamb chops and squash. B+

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.

2004 Pepiere (Marc Olivier) Muscadet
Minerals and citrus fruit, rocks and apples, chalk and lemon. I think I've used all those before for this wine. Beautiful clean wine. Shockingly good match with some San Daniele proscuitto. B+, but like the Marechal a solid A for value.

I have been through a case and a half of this wine since release and every bottle is as good as you say. The ultimate no-brainer.
Best, Jim

[Jenise]

Muscadet and proscuitto? Now there's a non-intuitive match.

I was finally able to find one of Jim Cowan's recommendations in my area. It was as advertised thought I had previously found another '04 Muscadet that I thought was noteworthy in the Domaine de la Batardiere. Seems to have even more of what you liked in the Pepiere. We served this wine in wine class a few weeks ago, along with the la Quilla with fresh NC pan seared rainbow trout. It was one of the most amazing wine-food pairings I've ever seen. The Muscadets were showing like a 1st Cru Burgundy and the trout like scrod or mahi. Everybody wins when you get it right. I do think the de la Batardiere is worth a look if you can find it.

Muscadet and proscuitto? Now there's a non-intuitive match.

You think? Different regions sure, but they're both often typecast as salty meal starters, and I can see them going well (not that I eat much proscuitto or anything...)

Non-intuitive region-wise maybe. But I've always found crisp whites the best match with proscuitto. But this was less thought out- more like "I'm having this great Muscadet, what the hell is there to munch on in fridge?"


Richard, don't know that Muscadet, will add to list.

I've enjoyed the Pinon Vouvray quite a bit myself, Dale, though I'm not positive it was the '04. Agree also on the crisp-white-with-prosciutto rationale, though I wouldn't have thought Muscadet without your prompting. Makes sense and sounds wonderful.

Thanks for the heads-up on Bourgneuf, Dale. I bit on the Sherry-Lehmann promo and bought a case. It's sitting in a lake in our basement with my 2003 Lynch Moussas. My wine room is full. Good thing both wines are cheap; I won't hold them for an investment. Nobody would touch either after viewing the condition of the labels, if they sit in the water much longer.

The 1997 was herbaceous, too. I think I wrote it up on the Forum when I drank my last one. Lynn said herbaceous; I said slate/mineral - like rocks in a forest stream. Lynn didn't like it much; I loved it. Good thing she relies on me for remembering the wines; she doesn't often; otherwise she would have been pi--ed when the case of 2001s arrived at her office. Maybe I will like this one as much as the 1997.