Friday, chuck roast with red onions, potatoes, salad and the 2006 Havens Merlot Reserve (Carneros) . This was the last vintage that Michael Havens made (though label continued on), and as I always liked the Bourriquot I bought a variety of the wines as they were closed out. Found 2 forgotten bottles at bottom of a case. Maybe this was better then, I really didn’t enjoy now. Heat, hint of VA, kirsch meets cola meets soy. Lush texture, but who cares. C+/C
On a slightly chilly Saturday afternoon we did an early Thanksgiving outdoors at Betsy’s sister’s, as we won’t be together on the day. Betsy made turkey breast and morel/madeira soup; Cal made pesto salmon, sweet potato “fries”, kale/cabbage salad, and more. I carried the (pre-split) wines
2005 Domaine des Billards St Amour
In a lovely place. Ripe but balanced, black cherry, smoke, and mushroom, a bit of Pinot-character, firm and full finish. B+/A-
1994 Weins-Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese
Pit fruits, citrus zest, some light petrol, easy going if not cerebral. B
2010 F. Carillon Les Champs Gains Puligny-Montrachet 1er
A pointe, rich but with plenty of acidic backbone. Pear accented with hazelnut and honey, long. A-
That night leftovers and the 2015 COS Frappato. Light, crunchy, fun and easy. B/B+
Sunday was sea bass in yellow curry, rice, bok choy, with the
2004 Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spatlese
Lovely, true Spatlese, peach and citrus, floral and ginger. Sweet but balanced, long slatey finish. B+/A-
Dinner during Zoom group Monday, Betsy made duck a poivre, duck fat potatoes, salad
2002 de Montille Volnay
Unsure how I had this, must have just snuck in before I started boycotting de Montille. Pleasant if uncomplicated wine- Red fruit, some earth, hint of barnyard. A bit clunky in structure, I might have thought Pommard rather than Volnay, but I mostly enjoyed, especially after duck was ready. 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.