TN: Chardonnay, Syrah, Sangiovese, Chenin, and more

With leftovers, the 2015 LeSeurre Lemberger (Finger Lakes). Ripe for Blaufr ankisch (12% abv, tastes riper), some vanilla, sweet. B-/B

Betsy and a friend were in VIrginia, invited her friend’s husband a nd dog for dinner. He brought some home-smoked mackerel and trout

2012 Copain “Tous Ensemble” Chardonnay (Anderson Valley) Bright, stone fruits and honeycrisp, big but not ungainly. B+/B

I made grilled brats and Korean pork butt, sweet dumpling squash stuffed wi th rice, Chinese mustard greens, & beet salad

1975 BV Georges de LaTour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon This was a bottle rejected by Winebid for color. In bottle looked pretty n ormal to me, it’s just I’ve found the post 1970 BVs a bit d isappointing. When poured dark ruby with a little browning on edges. This w as a very odd bottle- not especially oxidized, but with a heavy maple syrup (!) note.Stewed plum and fig, that maple syrup note, somewhat abrupt finis h. B-/C+ , maybe more if you were having with breakfast. 2011 Faury St. Joseph Tight and takes a little while to open. Black plum, black pepper, smoke. Yo ung but tasty. B+ eventually

No wine Th with leftovers, Friday went to a friend’s where it was b ach night

I carried canapes- nduja, lonza, and small Galician sardines, another guest brought the salad and some octopus salad.

NV Castellroig Cava Crisp, floral with apple fruit, good qpr. B/B-

1998 Huet Le Mont Demi-sec Vouvray A little cidery at first , develops fresher apple fruit along with grapefru it, wax and pollen, fun if not complex. I don’t think I’ve had a ‘98 still Huet before, just the petillant. B

He had made pasta with red sauce, meatballs, and sausage

2015 Lanciola Chianti Classico Riserva Le Masse di Greve Good acidic balance, forward red fruits, a little hint of vanilla, some lea ther and dried cherry with air. B With lamb, red cabbage, delicata squash, salad 1994 Lindeman’s St. George Cabernet Sauvignon Plush black plum, mocha, a little cigarbox. Round and ripe, though 13.5 abv pretty restrained compared to some Aussies of this era. B/B+

Grey sole, braised leeks with parmesan, bok choy, and salad

2012 Dublere “Crotots” Meursault This might be just shut down, but just not a lot here - moderate acids, mil d white pit fruit, a little caramelly note than suggests incipient oxidatio n. I wouldn't bet on holding this till it comes out of its shell. Too bad I generally like producer. C+/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 p arty where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.