2009 Leitz Rudesheimer Klosterlay Riesling Kabinett
with a spicy shrimp stir fry. Apples, herbs, and mineral, broadbeamed but not heavy, good balance, B+/B
NV ("X " = 2010) Lapierre "Raisins Gaulois" (VdT)
Fresh, raspberry and cherry, joy juice,not complicated, why should it be? B+
2006 Puffeney Chardonnay (Arbois)
I really love Jura Chardonnay, but not when it tastes like mediocre vin jaune. Oxidative, lemon and sherry edges, no apparent oak. I guess one strength of starting off oxidative is there is no change over 5 days. I'm sure there are those that appreciate this style, it's just not for me. C
NV Castellroig Brut Cava
with "tandoori" chicken. Maybe my favorite under $12 bubbly. Crisp, precise, straightfoward,. B/B+
2009 Fanny Sabre Bourgogne-Passetoutgrains
with herb crusted salmon over a shaved vegetable salad, and quinoa pilaf.
Bright cherry fruit, good acidity with a nice juicy mouthfeel, clean and friendly, what PTG should be. B+/B
2008 Peillot Mondeuse
with pork chops in a mushroom sauce and broccoli with almonds.
I'm definitely not the best mass-taster in the world (probably not on my block) and have been disappointed in wines I found at huge tastings before. But not this time- I liked this at least as much as I did at the Chambers/Louis-Dressner tasting. Raspberries, uncured tobacco, damp soil. Light bodied but not without gravitas, good acids, pretty wine. Buy more. B+
2001 Edmunds St John Syrah
With chicken in garlic sauce, baked tomatoes with herb topping, eggplant and salad. This is the generic California. My last bottle- or it was until my order from latest library sale came in yesterday. Hey, good excuse to see how it's doing as new bottles rest. Acidity seems softer than I remember at first, but it's fresh, and with air the underlying acidity seems more evident. Black cherry and red raspberry fruit, earth, more earth, and some damp earth. Just a hint of grilled meat. This isn't a bruiser but it's really quite nice, a terrific balanced and ready wine. Not an ugly stepbrother to the W-F or Bassetti, it's just a bit more precocious. Drink these with a lot of pleasure while you give others some time. B+/A-
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.