Friday haddock braised in a dashi/beef broth, root vegetables (daikon, kohlrabi, potatoes) in same broth, spinach with sesame, mushrooms. Enjoyed some leftover Oregon Chardonnays, but also opened (crowncap) 2020 Col di Luna Flora Raboso Vino Frizzante. Sweet strawberries, mild fizz, some (pleasant) sour lemon accents, spice. A little sediment. Very different, but fun. B
Sunday oysters, grilled halibut cheeks, green puttanesca pasta, burrata caprese, salad.The
1998 Nikolaihof Riesling "Steinriesler"might not have been ideal match, but it was cold and available. Actually a beautiful wine, lighter than some Austrian Rieslings, elegant with honied notes (despite being totally dry), white peach, pear, and wildflowers. Just a hint of petrol on long minerally finish., A-
Roasted salmon on couscous and a radish/squash/pea/miso/mustard saute, and the
2021 Bonneliere Rive Gauche Chinon Rose. Strawberry, watermelon, a little green pepper. Fun and refreshing. B
Wednesday concert at river, again we supplied picnic( bratwurst, Hmart chicken, smoked salmon, chickpea/celery salad, burrata caprese) for friends who are moving today.
2019 Bordes Les Narys Saint Chinian
Juicy, red plum with garrigue, soft and needs a bit more backbone for me (might have just been heat). B-
2012 Piuze Terroir de Courgis Chablis
Hey, 10 year old Chablis AC,and it’s actually doing just fine. Lemon drop, good acids, flinty notes, good length. B+
2021 Bedrock Ode to Lulu Rose
I mean this is CA not Provence, but you can see the inspiration. Fresh, fleshy but balanced, nice acids, good finish. B/B+
2021 Les Fouques Cotes de Provence Rose
Red fruits, good acids, but just doesn’t seem to have much depth.B-/B
Thursday some friends we are traveling to France with came over, to discuss plans and celebrate their 36th anniversary day before.With appetizers (mortadella/olive skewers, smoked salmon with tzatziki) we had the NV Gosset Grand Reserve. Really nice, moderate dosage, apples and seeded bread, elegant bead, good value at $38. B+
Grilled pork chops, risotto with asparagus and prosciutto, green/herb salad
2019 Collestefano Verdicchio di Matellica.
Snappy, clam shells, lemon. B/B+
1986 Ch. Sociando-Mallet
This was a step (no, two) behind other recent bottles of this. Black currant fruit, some green herb and tobacco, but with a dank note that detracted. I kept looking for TCA, but never really found it, but found this bottle quite drinkable but not the value of a couple of bottles from same case. 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.