Paul and Sandy got a reservation at the hard to get Don Angie in Greenwich Village, so Betsy and I were happy to meet them. Since my niece lives in neighborhood, we went in a little early, found parking, and met her at Felice on Hudson. Betsy and Ashley had Aperol spritzs, I had a BTG:
2024 Felice Fattoria Sardi Chardonnay (Toscana)
No noticeable oak, citrus, moderate acids, clean if uninspiring Chard. B/B-
Then we walked to Don Angie and had a nice dinner,, Paul and I each brought a wine.
Chrysanthemum Salad
BBQ calamari with pepperoni fried rice and labneh
2015 Valentini Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Grapefruit and blood orange, fennel seed, a hint of licorice Big, bright, and saline. Really fun. A-/B+
Stracchino Gnocchi-Broccoli Rabe, Crispy Garlic, Sharp Provolone
Sourdough Pasta Chicken Cacciatore with Nduja & Sicilian Olives
Lasagna pinrolls (sausage Bolognese, whipped Robiolina)
Grilled Pork Shoulder with Gigante Beans all' Amatriciana & Red Dandelion
Japanese Sweet Potatoes with Sumac and creamy dressing.
2010 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve
This is young, but really delicious and there is some development., Black cherry,plum, fresh oregano, just a touch of tar and smoke. With air a bit of cigarbox and sandalwood. Deep and long. Great now, with a long future ahead. A-
Food was delicious, company was fantastic, wines were fun. The noise volume in restaurant was high, but mostly a great night.
Thursday night I had a speech at Iona, then a drive home through a deluge of rain to find dinner waiting for me. Japanese turkey curry, rice, and an arugula salad with sesame bread crumbs,
1993 Domaine Camus-Bruchon “Les Lavières” Savigny-les-Beaune 1er
This is a recent acquisition, I was a little worried immediately after decant, there was enough of a roasted note to the fruit that I wondered if there could be heat damage. But it seemed to freshen up, though it retained a warm edge that didn’t seem very 1993. Red plum and raspberry, clove-y spice, a touch of coffee & smoke. There is some acidic structure, but again not what I would expect from 1993. A good not great Burg that drinks more like a 1997 than a 1993. 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 the only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.