I was handed a glass of Champagne. Uh- oh, this seems tired, overly nutty. Maderized Champagne, NOT my favorite. This might be a long night. I see a bottle go by, it's the NV Lucas Carton "Cuvee Lancel" which I have had sound bottles of (Alex is in the fashion business, must have worked some trade with Lancel for cases of this). So I try another and this one is much better- fresh, yeasty, though I personally prefer a more elegant lighter style a la Taittinger. First bottle C, second B
I stick with Champagne through the excellent mussels. There's a buffet of roast beef, vegetables, pasta, shrimp, salmon. I aim primarily for the beef and get a glass of the red that is circulating. It's the 2003 Villa del Borgo Merlot. A bit too jammy for my tastes, sweet red plum and a tad of vanilla. Typical international style wine, acceptable if not especially fun. B-
It was better than a Tyrells Pinot Noir that was quite sweet with no discernable varietal character, a C.
Thursday was no wine, but Friday we went to some friends to meet their new pair of kittens. During feline introductions and over gaucamole, they served the 2005 Con Class Rueda. Light-bodied, sweet melon and pear fruit, hint of a floral note. Could be a bit zippier. B
Jim had said he was making a Tuscan sausage and bean soup, I had brought along the 2000 La Magia Brunello di Montalcino. This seemed to have a bit more power and verve than a previous bottle, but still more in the range of acceptable Sangiovese rather than exciting Brunello. Black cherry fruit and a little hint of sweet oak. B
Saturday we went to Jackson Heights in afternoon and had a dosa, so by (late) dinner time we opted for a lighter dinner of scallops. Of course, once Betsy decided on a crea/leek sauce it wasn't that light.
Wine was a 375 of the 2002 La Chablisienne "Mont de Milieu" Chablis 1er Cru. Sweet apple fruit accented with a squeeze of lemon juice, some flinty minerality. A little short on the finish compared to the best 1ers, but not bad. B
After dinner took a half of the 2003 Ch. du Tertre (Margaux) for a test drive. Rather rich red plum and a hint of raspberry, some chocolate and just a hint of lead pencil. Hard to call this classic Margaux, but a pleasant round, ripe, more modern wine. There's enough acidity to save it from flabbiness, good length. Tannins present but rather ripe. Tasted on following day it had stood up quite well. I'm not running out for more, but happy to own a few. B+
Sunday Betsy went to Mohegan Sun (NYCO orchestra was backing Andrea Bocelli), I was home alone for dinner. With some mushroom/asiago chicken sausages, I assayed the remaining du Tertre as well as the 2004 Filliatreau La Grande Vignolle Saumur-Champigny. I love the 2005 of this. I was initially disappointed with this - a bit tart and thin for Cabernet Franc, the fruit rather modest and with a geranium/houseplant note that remains me more of Gamay than Cab Franc. But a totally different wine showed up as it got some air. Deep black plum and blackberry fruit with some overtones of herbs and coffee, good length. Doesn't excite me like the 2005, but a very good wine for $15ish. 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.