Betsy and I joined some friends for dinner on their back porch, welcoming back another couple who have been scouting Asheville NC as a retirement location. We started with a scallop ceviche with plums, moved on to excellent ribs, potato salad, corn and tomato salad.
2008 (I think) Bogle Old Vines Zinfandel. Sweet, grapey, red berries, not my style but thoroughly enjoyed by others. C+
2005 Ch. Greysac
Pretty straightforward Bordeaux, nice for its price range. Cassis, medium bodied, some slightly astringent tannins, I'd give this another year or two but I like (Joe furnished this, but I have bought some at $11, and good deal at that price.) B
2004 La Roquette Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Not a blockbuster, this is a medium bodied CdP bordering on elegance. Red Grenache fruit, herbs, leather. Satisfying for $16. 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.