Tuesday my brother was taking us out to dinner. As we toured his new house, we sipped on the 2001 Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape. I liked this much better than I remembered- sweet red fruit, wild herbs, a little leathery note. Very typical young CdP, not shut down at all, I quite liked. I have not historically been a big fan of Guigal's CdP, but now have rather enjoyed the 2000 and 2001. B+
The restaurant was called Aqua Blue, in Roswell, GA. I really liked table appetizers of tempura beans and chili calamari, and an artichoke dip was ok. My salad was better than ok, but my trout/shitake spring roll main course was rather disappointing, though everyone else enjoyed their main courses (after an interminable wait). Betsy and I shared a glass of red and white:
2004 Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir
Rather stern red plum fruit, opens to a more welcoming red berry profile accented by smoke and cola. Good, not great. B
2005 Omaka Springs Sauvignon Blanc
Good acidity, pungent gooseberry and hot pepper nose. Grapefruit and tropical fruit on the palate, a bit short but fine for a btg white. B
The following night we grilled steaks and chicken at my parents. I was grillmaster (dad had a cold), and slightly overdid the steaks (I would never buy thin Tbones, aaaggghh). But I managed to find a medium-rare one (I'm a blue/rare guy) to match with my 2001 Havens Bourriquot. Round lush mouthfeel, some sturdy but ripe tannins, good length. Good acidity, ripe cassis and black raspberry flavors, some oak cocoa and saddle leather. A-/B+
I also had a glass of the 2004 Beringers Founder's Estate Chardonnay. Very sweet pear fruit, some vanilla aromas, rather short. Nothing I'd want, but probably would go over well as a mass market "I'd like a glass of Chardonnay" pour. B-/C+
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.