What are we drinking this weekend?

I have just opened a NV Pol Roger Brut to celebrate the arrival of my first grand-daughter. Born Friday morning, in London, and weighing 6 lbs. Great start to the weekend I`d say.

Congratulations, Bob.

Granddaughters are great. I have two of them: two and a half years and 9 months. They are so easy to spoil. Congratulations Bob.

Volnay!

[James Roscoe]

Congratulations Bob! I will open something sparkling this weekend in honour of your grandaughter. (Notice the British spelling? )

Bob - that's a great event. Congratulations.

Last night I opened a 2003 Louis Latour Chassagne-Montrachet. Drinking beautifully right now; I wish I'd bought a case. We had it with shrimp sauteed in garlic, butter, olive oil, baby spinach and served over linguine.

2000 Dauvissat Forest as aperitif before we go out for sushi.

D'Arenberg 'The Money Spider' roussanne (McLaren Vale) 2008
Saltram's Pepperjack shiraz-viognier (Barossa Valley) 2006

Both easy drinking wines, with a casual meal with friends. Coq au vin, plain potatoes and peas, followed by the Francophile's wicked toffee sauce pudding and custard.

Bob, that is wonderful news. Congratulations!

'07 ESJ Bone-Jolly

2005 Domaine Epis Pinot Noir - Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Macedon Ranges
This was actually from a lunch last week. An exellent Australian pinot. From the same region as the Bindi pinots. Semi-opaque plum/garnet colour. Cherry and stawberry bouquet. Forestial tones with red cherries. I suspect it is unfiltered which is my preferred approach but since I can't find a website for them, I can't confirm this. Good length. Right up there in terms of Australian pinots for anyone who doubts they can't be made in Aus. Especially good value for price when you consider at around $A50 it is on par with entry level burgundy in Aus - one must remember our 40% tax levy. (93 pts.)

2007 Emrich-Schönleber Riesling Lenz (Germany, Nahe)
Excellent structure with a superb balance between the off dry fruit and the crisp acid at the finish. It does seem howev er over the past 12 months the sweet edge has faded just a tad. Lemon fruit blossoms on the palate with a refreshing schist/mineral finish. 11.5%Alc (90pts)

Talking shiraz here or thinking of opening one, this will put the cat amongst the pigeons!

http://ow.ly/16CYNZ

Interesting article, Bob. Speaking as a shiraz enthusiast, I think you should open a shiraz if you are thinking about one. Enjoy it.

As to the discussion of fruit-driven vs fruit-shy, or whatever, for me the main consideration with enjoying wine is whether it is layered or one-dimensional. Big or restrained, opulent or lean - if a wine is one-dimensional it is not going to be as interesting as a more complex wine that presents layers and sequences of flavour.

Just had a glass of homemade (from a kit) Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend. Far from great, but it wasn't hard to drink it.

Congratulations, Bob, from a grandmother of 3 little girls.

This weekend we drank a 1999 Guigal Cote Rotie Brune e Blonde and a 2004 Fevre Chablis Valmur.

Many congratulations, Bob! This weekend, we opened the '04 Clos de Briords Muscadet and '96 Clos de l'Oratoire St.-Emilion. In retrospect, we drank to your new granddaughter's good health.

Mark Lipton

Salute Bob and congratulations to the new addition to your family!
This weekend was a good wine weekend at my house; we opened up a 1999 Allegrini Amarone Classico and a 2003 Mauro Molino Barolo Conca.

Salute

Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare. A fine dry rose wine in the Southern Rhone tradition.

-Paul W.