Sunday was a very long day for me, running a picnic for my group. I dragged in about 6:30 to find Betsy preparing chiclen yakitori, rice with shiso furikake, and some beans from organic co-op. Wine was the 2009 Clos de la Roillete (Coudert) "Cuvee Tardive" Fleurie. Lovely wine. I remember the 05 and 02 Tardives on release as being a bit tight and austere, but this seems quite friendly and open. Black cherries with a little cranberry tartness, some tannins hiding in background, nicely structured. Nice acidic tang on long finish. Some smoke and damp soil. Sure this will age well, but I'll have trouble keeping hands off unless it shuts down. Drinks as well or better on night 2. A-
Last night it was too hot to eat outside, we enjoyed pork loin stuffed with peppers and feta, barley-asparagus "risotto", and chard. Hmmm...pork, feta, asparagus? I have no Greek whites, how about a Gruner? I brought up the 2009 Hofer Gruner Veltliner . Light, floral, a little hint of spritz. Citrus and a little pea. Nice wine for the price (I think about $11 for a liter), but while I think GV was a good choice, this one was way too light for the meal. I should have bitten the bullet and opened a Nigl or Knoll. Still, a good value wine. 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.