Over a long weekend, some decent bottles were opened and drunk:
With plain cheese pizza:
Arianna Occhipinti, Il Frappato, Sicilia IGT, 2011
Perhaps heavier in feeling, weight, than the 2010 version, still, firing on all cylinders: fruity raspberry and musk filled goodness. Just good. A friendly wine to share with friends.
With brined and roasted pork loin, squash soup, and pan-scalloped potatoes:
Alain Graillot, Crozes-Hermitage, 'la Guiraude', 2005
Olivey salted plum nose, echoing on the palet with ground pepper. The tannins that were here when I last tried this a couple of years ago have receeded and this drinks beautifully now. Wonderfully pure syrah that exclaims its' Northern Rhone heritage. 13%
With pan-seared lamb chops:
Chateau Pichon Lalande, Pauillac, 2002
The color is rather dark for a 12-year old Bordeaux. Not the greatest of years, but when PL does it right, they do it right. Rich blackcurrant fruit with an herbal-savory edge that gives somewhat green components, just enough to let one know that the Loire isn't that far away. Lacking a little in the middle, this finishes with a whiff of smoke and chewy tannins on the end. Nice balanced acidity and medium weight, good fruit, suggest this will be be better in 2-3 years. Delicious!