Betsy had opened a 2013 Pepiere Muscadet for cooking, and I used more for my “risotto.” I just went out and bought some cheap whites, cause I can’t waste Pepiere for cooking! What a value, sprightly, saline, minerally. B+
Dinner was tofu with a balsamic glaze, black barley risotto with mixed mushrooms, and broccoli. Wine was the 2009 Ch. du Chassagne-Montrachet (Bader-Mineur) Chassagne-Montrachet rouge. Stolid, a bit clunky, ripe redder fruit, some tannin, not very long. B-/C+
Friday she made cod, chickpeas, and greens in a chipotle/adobo broth; I opened the
2004 Huet “Clos du Bourg” Vouvray Sec. This is an “off” vintage for Vouvray, but I enjoyed this a lot. Midbodied, touch of sweetness, blood orange and apple, some wooly notes. Good acids, nice length, not a classic but very tasty and works well with the food. B+
Last night went over to some friends to celebrate hostess’s birthday. With nibbles (stuffed peppers, cheese, olives, nuts) the NV Serveaux “Carte Noir” Brut Champagne. Assume from name this is a Blanc de Noirs, but not sure I can isolate that- there’s a crisp lemony edge that I’d associate with Chard. Citrus zest, smoke, biscuits. Very good. B+
I had brought along a scallop ceviche, and host paired with the 2010 de Villaine Bouzeron. Excellent choice, the tangy citrus notes were a perfect pairing for …..the tangy citrus notes of the dish. Good acids, lemon and mineral, by itself this wine might have come across as tart but just right with the ceviche. This night, B+
Main course was a great dish of lamb shanks over orzo, with kale and salad on the side.The wine was the 1999 Ch. Quinault l’Enclos (St Emilion). The modern styling of the wine and the ripe character of the vintage pushed each other over the edge for me, others liked more. Plummy, lots of mocha, lower acid. Tasted like a good California Merlot-heavy blend, but that’s not what I want in Bordeaux. B-/C+
There was also the 2013 McManis Cabernet Sauvignon. Now this made the Quinault look like a model of restraint. This is quite sweet, as in it tastes like it has RS, and lots of chippy oak flavors. I’m sure this is a big seller, but not my type at all. C
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. 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.