Wednesday a good friend got a clean 3 month report after a health scare, in vited us to dinner Fri. We had commitment Friday so instead said "you guys come over tonight." I had already shopped, but we combined the lobster inte nded for last night and tonight's beef, and had surf and turf. They brought the sides, and bones for the dogs
Greeting was salmon on cucumber and the NV Pierre Gerbais "Cuvee de Reserv e" Extra Brut Champagne. Surprised this is extra brut, not at all austere. Full, lemony, mineral. B+/B
next a lobster salad , with a Cali Chard.
2005 Martinelli "Three Sisters Vineyard Sea Ridge Meadow" Chardonnay Good news is this is quite young at 10. Bad news is it tastes like a young wine with canned pears in syrup, vanilla, and oak flavors. C+Dinner was grilled skirt steak, mushrooms, roasted sweet potatoes, and sala d
2001 Pontet-Canet Young, fresh acids, somewhat polished tannins. Plush cassis fruit, mocha, l ight oak remaining. Nice example of a somewhat modern Pauillac, best about 2 hours after decanting. B+/A-2009 Rotie Cellars "Northern Blend" I've generally liked the Rotie wines, but this was a bit ripe/sweet (I look ed to see if it was actually the Southern, tasted more Grenachey than Syrah y. But Syrah/Viognier. Pleasant, but not worth price. B-
Last night I was out at a speech at Iona but Betsy saved me a plate of gril led chicken with couscous and kale. Wine was the 2012 Calluna CVC. Nice mi dbodied Bordeaux blend, good acids, more about elegance than power., At mo ment there's a raspiness to the tannins, I think I'll hold for a couple yea rs. It's not very long, otherwise I'd go a bit higher. 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 objectiv ity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.