Friday night a couple of negociant Burgs from well-known producers. While Betsy prepared dinner and we waited for Dave, the 2006 Les Heritiers du Comte Lafon Macon. I've enjoyed the Heritiers/Lafon Macons (both general and single village) before, mostly in good NYC restaurants. I've always found good values (they tend to run $35-50 at places like Nobu). This was $15 at retail closeout, and I can't argue at price. But it's not quite the value of the other vintages I've tried, a bit round/ripe for my taste in Chardonnay. Sweet pears, modest acidity, hint of a flinty note. Good clean white Burg, but soft finishn and not anything to go looking for. B-/B
Main course was a filet mignon with a Bordelaise sauce (Pierre Franey), with roasted vegetables and potatoes. Wine was the 2006 Meo-Camuzet (Frere & Soeurs) Bourgogne rouge. Really nice, clean ripe black cherry and plum fruit, a hint of cocoa powder, solid damp earth aromas. Good acidity, light tannins, very good finish. There's an occasional unusual whiff of something that reminds me of fish stock, which sounds weird for a red wine, but didn't bother me. Very nice for the level. B+
Tonight I was cooking, vaguely teriyaki-ish chicken thighs, roasted cauliflower, sauteed baby arugula. I was thinking Nebbiolo, but actually ended up bringing out a Nero d'Avola, the 2004 Feudo Montoni Vrucaca.Classy mid to full bodied red, blackcurrants and black raspberries, spice. Nice balance of acidity and tannins, long. I've not generally been a fan of Sicilian wines, but things like this and the Biondi Etna realize that was just my ignorance. B+/A-
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.