On Saturday, Jean and I were thrust into a very unfamiliar position, with Andrew spending the night at a friend's house for a sleepover. (Not that we don't get a few nights to ourselves now and again, but rarely at our own home). After weighing the option of going out for dinner, we opted to stay in for a romantic dinner at home. For the occasion, I cooked a meat-oriented paella using some organic chicken thighs and a locally made, smoked andouille that is smokin' good, and we decided upon a New World Pinot Noir for the wine. As an aperitif, we opened:
2008 Jo Landron Muscadet SeM "Amphibolite Nature"
nose: minerals, lime
palate: saline, mineral, strong fruity core
Very refreshing and on a par with my favorite Muscadets (Luneau Papin and Pepiere).
With the paella, I opened:
2007 Copain Pinot Noir "Tous Ensemble"
nose: initially sappy, a whiff of oak, cranberry-cherry
palate: medium body, fruity, balanced, restrained
I'd obtained a few bottles of this wine when Crush offered it at a very attractive price. Having heard good things about Wells Guthrie and the wines he's making, I took a chance; thankfully, my gamble has been rewarded with a very food-friendly and tasty wine, which fortuitously went very well with paella. I'll let the remaining bottles sit for a while more before opening them as I think that this wine will improve with some age.
Mark Lipton
Very nice notes professor. Welcome back to the adult world. Wait until he is a teenager. Of course you realize that it was nights like this that got you in this trouble in the first place! 
