Busy week at work, lots of stuff to do on house, out of town relatives visiting, by Friday I looked forward to coming home to good food and good wine. Unfortunately, I had a speech at a church in a neighboring village about the time Betsy needed to eat. So I did my speech, excused myself afterwards, and came home to a plate Betsy had left for me- chicken schnitzel on top of arugula and herbs (with a lemon anchovy dressing), and a wheatberry salad. Pretty delicious, and I looked forward to it with my 2007 Roulot Bourgogne Blanc. Unfortunately, the wine was corked beyond belief. I even tried a different glass in case it was my stem, but no- TCA supreme. Bummer.
I grabbed another white to chill. Meanwhile, I helped Dave with his taxes before having my wine and seconds on the chicken. He asked for a glass of red, I opened the Old Fields Vineyard Rooster Tail (North Fork Long Island, NV as far as I can tell). Lighter styed, earth, herbs, green pepper, red fruit. Probably mostly Cab Franc. Not bad, could pass for Bourgueil. B/B- (disclaimer, know owners, though haven't seen in a few years)
OK, seconds on the schnitzel, with white #2 - the 2001 La Louviere blanc (Pessac-Leognan). I really liked previous bottle from same lot, but this is pushing towards the graveyard. Citrus and melon, some oak, but intrusive oxidative notes. If this was 19 (or 29) instead of 9 I'd call acceptable, but this is premature oxidation. Not my first PremOx white Bdx from mid-90s on, what do they have in common with Burgs? This was somewhat drinkable, but a B-/C-, after really enjoying a bottle year or two ago.
So Saturday should be better, right? When I wasn't at office, I was working in yard. So when imaginary whistle blew at 4:45, I was ready for relaxing night. No lunch, so early dinner. I had thawed prime (yes, Costco now has prime!) strip, sauteed some shiitakes and beech shrooms, made a salad, and gotten out the wheatberries. I had also brought up the 2006 Ch. Teyssier (St Emilion). This is Bordeaux? Spoofy Merlot, sweet to supersweet with oak, green herbs, and short finish. No no no, this can't be my reward for long day. C+
So I opened a half bottle of 2004 Bahans Haut Brion. And promptly hit the bottle with my elbow as I turned around, spilling more than half. Wiping up (and trying to keep Basset from licking up what ran from counter onto floor), I realize that of course the wine I spilled would be best of weekend. I'd guess 150 ml stayed in bottle, so I had one good glass. And good it was. Lovely, balanced, solid black fruit with a clear dose of Grave soil and tobacco. The baby HB looked like its daddy, and was really quite fine. A bit tannic, but I had with the steak, so no big deal. B++
So it's 7 PM, I've finished my glass of BHB and I'm staring at the Teyssier. No, don't think so. Open yet another bottle? Why not. OK, here's the 1993 Havens Merlot Reserve (Carneros, Napa). 16 year old Napa Merlot? Not a problem. Fairly youthful fruit, full and sweet. A hint of cowdung, but not problematic. This isn't that complex, but it's alive, tasty, and best bottle I didn't spill this weekend (so far). I can't say that's it's less ripe than the Teyssier, but hey (a) it's Cali, so expectations differ, (b) oak doesn't stick out, and (c) it's longer and more interesting. B+/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.