Betsy made green (green garlic and spinach) puttanesca over pasta along with fried baby artichokes , wine was 2005 Pieropan “Calvarino” Soave Classico. Yellow plums, full, a little softer than I remembered, maybe time to drink up, but pretty tasty. B/B+
Grilled strip steak, fried rice, feta caprese, and leftover Chinese broccoli were on table along with 2001 Worthy “Sophia’s Cuvee” Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa). This was always on the ripe/modern side, but I thought welldone at a store tasting (9 years ago?), but this isn’t too enjoyable. Ripe with truly sweet fruit, glossy, big mouthfeel, not tired but no development, not my style. B-/C+
I picked up Betsy from a city appointment, we called in an order for takeout pizza (mushroom and peppers). I popped a 2000 Falesco Montiano. This too is clearly modern, but not as overtly sweet, black plums and a little chocolate, some tannin and acids despite its smoothness, pleasant Merlot. 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.