I realized when I wrote up Monday's SOBER tasting, I left out the 2002 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Spatlese John served as we waited for stragglers to arrive. No real notes, but I remember the wine as delightful. Just a delicious open Riesling, peaches and citrus over a solid mineral base. Good but not extreme acidity, perfect apertif (though certainly "serious" enough to be a star at dinner). A-/B+
Last night Betsy made a fresh spinach tagliatelle with beef ragu. Recipe for the sauce called for red wine, she used a cup of the 2006 Brun (Domaine des Terres Dorees) "L'Ancien" Beaujolais, and then we had the wine with dinner. Lovely balanced Gamay, floral with clean dark cherry fruit. Good acidity, light ripe tannins, good length. 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.