Thursday I got home rather late from airport (Betsy went from GA to CA to visit her parents), too tired to cook I stole one of David's frozen pizzas, a Trader Joes with red peppers, olves, and feta -not too bad,, actually. I opened a bottle of the 2004 Manciat "Franclieu" Macon-Charnay. I've really liked this bottle in the past, but this seemed a bit muted. Good acidity, ok white fruit, but just doesn't seem to come together. I don't like it any better on day 2 or 3, nothing perceptibly flawed, but nowhere near as good as two previous bottles. TCA under my threshold? B- for this bottle.
As I wasn't really getting into the white, I opened a red, the 2005 Clos du Tue-Boeuf Cheverny. Tight at first, then rather expansive. Fine sharp acids, bright red fruit sprinkled with pepper. Loamy earth aromas and a touch of herbs. Light, but quite refreshing, reminds me a bit of an excellent Bourgogne Passetoutgrains. B+
Friday after work I took the dog home and fed her, then over to a friend's birthday party. I got there too late for her husband's concert (he's no pro, but it's what she wanted for her birthday), but in plenty of time for a bunch of party nibbles and some wine:
2000 Ste. Colombe (Cotes de Castillon)
Round red currant and red plum fruit, light tannins, a touch of earth, clean finish. Not especially complex, but as Marc says "all you could want in a $9 Bordeaux". B+/B
2002 Goats do Roam (red)
Others liked this better than I did, I found it a little tired. Still, a decent Rhone pretender, with some spice notes over ripe red fruit. B/B-
2005 Copain "L'automne" Pinot Noir
I had quite liked this before, but this bottle seems sweeter. A little too ripe for my tastes, though others liked a lot. Not the acidic balance I remembered, a mild disappointment. B/B-
NV Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Champagne
Better than the last bottle I had of this, but that's not saying much. I used to find this wine a value, but recent tastes have seemed somewhat short and coarse. This is a bit better, with nice apple pie fruit and toast/yeast notes, but still not much of a finish. B/B-
Nice party. I walked home (I felt clearheaded, but that's not a good barometer) and retried the Cheverny (hip hip hurrah) and the Macon-Charnay (yawn).
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.