A baked pasta dish with hot Italian sausage, tomatoes, mozzarella, & ricotta
2011 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino
Cherry fruit, modest tannins, good acidity. A tad funky at first, cleans up. Good food wine, but plenty of good Chianti out there for less. B
Friday was supposed to be our local wine group’s gathering, with a theme of Cote de Beaune. Obviously cancelled, but I decanted the 1987 Drouhin Beaune-Greves 1er and split into 3 bottles, and dropped 2 off at back doors of members who live nearby. Pretty easy delicate wine, red fruit and some lovely mature scents of spice/sandalwood, mushrooms, and coffee. Fun. Gets a little tired after a couple hours. B+
Saturday another trip to our suddenly (and appropriately) regimented farmers market, long line at fishmongers. Dinner was Jonah crab with mustard sauce, grouper in an herb broth, barley risotto with mushrooms, & lemony kale.
1981 Pavillon Blanc du Ch. Margaux
Tropical flavors, a slight cheesy note, surprisingly young, though not super complex. But glad it was alive! B
Sunday choucroute garni with potatoes on side, broccoli with capers, salad
1989 Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Vendanges Tardives
(VT necktag has fallen off, but know that is what I own, and VT on cork)
I was a little worried at darker than remembered color, but this is beautiful. Intensely smoky, with petrol notes over apple fruit. Big but balanced, great acids, minerally finish. A-/B+
2018 Donnhoff Riesling
The estate QbA, used mostly for cooking (sad). Lively, balanced, light sugars, good length, fine value. B/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.
