Corned beef and cabbage in slow cooker while I got Betsy at airport, wine was the 2009 Donnhoff Oberhauser Liestenberg Kabinett. One thing I like about these as they never really seem to shut down, though a bit of air helps open up. Apples, Rainier cherries, and flint, with a floral nose. Sweet for Kabinett (ok, maybe not these days) but good acidic core. Tasty and a greatvalue. B+
With littlenecks with spinach and broccoli over pasta, the 2001 Peillot Altesse Rousette du Bugey Montagnieu was oxidized, but used for the clams. C. Replacement wine was the 2010 Gerard Bouley “Le Comtesse” Sancerre. Good, but maybe not up to my high expectations. Fuller style, mineral and white fruits, quite good but a tad muted and not the stunner I expect in $40+ Sancerre (but that's my expectations, not wine). B/B+
Then we went to local club for a jazz jam featuring friends, unexciting list, a Sella and Mosca Vermentino and Faustino VII Rioja (vintages unknown) were barely palatable & dull, but could easily have been open a while C for these glasses. .
Saturday spent morning shoveling snow, that evening over to some dear friends for dinner-
fish stew on couscous or rice, pimenton cauliflower, greek salad. A variety of wines:
2012 Bourgeois “La Porte de l'Abbay” Pouilly-Fume
Riper softer style of PF, but good SB typicity, round finish. B/B-
2009 Bedrock “Cuvee Caritas”
Some oak, but that seems to go into background with the food. Full with melon fruit, that hint of vanilla, good acids. B+
2011 Chateau les Farcies du Pech Pecharmant
Soft and easy, could pass for a little Bordeaux. Red plums and currant, a little cedar, pleasant. B
Sunday night I had an all day meeting, then we went up to Briarcliff for a fun dinner. A fun group of NY wine geeks, spouses, plus the pleasant surprise of meeting Lise from Ch. Prieure Lichine.
A couple of bottles of Mumm Cramant Champagne, medium bodied, toasty, appley. B
Then to table for a delicious chicken and kale soup, with a couple whites
2005 Drouhin Marquis de Lauguiche Montrachet
When first poured I was concerned and I thought a bit dark for 2005, but it was delicious . Full, with pear, citrus and floral notes, incredible balance, long and deep. I’m sure this will age but such a treat now. I guess I’m just a label whore. A-/A
2010 Pacherhof Kerner
OK, up against stiff comp, but I thought this lovely as well. White peach and pear, quite pleasantly herbal, apple blossom nose. Very good. B++
Main course was lamb, duck fat potatoes, & spinach, all delicious, with mostly American wines (which Lise has few opportunities to try)
1981 Joseph Swan Zinfandel (mag)
Full fresh red fruit, quite spicy, showing well if not super complex. B+
1982 Ch. Prieure Lichine
Lise was happy to try, they have none left in cellar. Medium bodied, plump but with some acids, tannins resolved, elegant. B+
1994 Edmunds St John “Durrell” Syrah
Served in a cool walrus decanter, but to me this needed more air, had showed better in past, and last serve was the best. Started a bit lean, with some smoke and licorice, opens towards end. B
1981 Chalone Pinot Noir
Served blind. Red fruit, barnyard, and a tarry note that led me to guess Piedmont. Showing well, plenty of life. B+
Monday the horrific snow forecast (we ended up getting a foot or less, didn’t lose power, no big deal) and Betsy made dinner while I shoveled and got generator ready. Apertif wine was the 1989 Domaine de la Mabilliere Vouvray Demi-Sec. Black mold under capsule, but cork is sound when removed. Reductive at first, opens and cleans up with air. Moderate sweetness, apple pie and cinnamon, just a bit of wool. Not very long or complex, but certainly alive and interesting. B
Dinner was puttanesca over spahgetti, my non-traditional match was a 375 ml the 2005 Lopez de Heredia Cubillo. Tart cherries, a little screechy, short. I’ve liked this much more before, probably the match, but I’ll say C+/B-
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.