A bit behind on notes. For meatless Tuesday, pasta with spinach and mushrooms in a lemon-cream sauce, and the 2008 Trimbach Riesling. The yellow label is solid and typical - good acids, citrus and pit fruits, nice structure. Good vintage for this annual value (if you don't mind a bit of leaness) B
Wednesday the 2009 Pepiere Muscadet was the choice with a tough food match, bluefish served with a starter of kale over garlic toast. Sturdy for level, lovely bright acids, more fruit than some vintages, but still distinct and vivid seashell/mineral notes. Lovely wine, for $10. B++
Thursday I was taking a group to the city, so not really planning on wine. Betsy needed a cup of dry red wine for the lamb shanks with white beans, I told her to open the 2007 Mas du Fadan (Cotes de Ventoux). Had a half glass with the shanks, beans, and a broccoli rabe/pea combo. Quite ripe, some light tannins, herby. Not exciting but hey it was $5. Remainder was oxidized and hot Sat. First night, B-/C+
Friday (after very little sleep) I had a physical, a long work day, and then a huge offline (that I barely stayed awake for). That's for another post.
Saturday I was home alone (well, with hound), made a pizza (cheese, cajun andouille, olive, and tomato), drank the 2009
Chavannes "Cuvee des Ambassades" Cote de Brouilly. New wine to me, I bought as part of a mixed 6 of 2009 Cru Beaujolais. Lean, pretty Gamay fruit, a bit less exuberant than the other '09s I've tried, but interesting and true wine. Raspberries, fresh cherry, floral. Old style Beaujolais. At the $15-16 I paid all in, I'm quite happy with this. B+
Betsy made sauteed escarole when she got in from show, I contributed a pair of branzino with garlic and rosemary, a couple of 2 hour baked potatoes, and the 2009 Hiedler "Maximum Reserve" Gruner Veltliner. I found this disconcertingly round and lush, to me this is like a Napa Valley version of GV. Oh, it has acidity, but the fruit is so ripe/sweet that it dominates. Betsy actually quite likes, and maybe I'm just suffering from tasting fatique. I hope so, as I have 5 more, and this just gets a B- from me
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.