Invited a friend and his dog for dinner Sunday, the dogs got big marrow bon es, the guys had surf and turf (I was just planning on surf, but then decid ed since Ron mostly drinks reds). On the grill went a couple of lobsters, 4 little lamb loin chops, couple ears of corn; we also had kohlrabi/apple sl aw and caprese.
White wine was #2 in my series of “oops, this shouldn’t have been on a bottom rack with OWCs stacked in front” 2002 white Burg discoveries. Agai n, I got lucky that this wasn’t premOxed, but I was luckier than with the Chassagne because this time I liked it. 2002 Louis Michel “Montmains ” Chablis 1er. Holding nicely, lemon and apple with a faint saline edge. Medium-bodied, not especially long, but pretty classically styled Chablis. B/B+
Red was the 2011 Arnot-Roberts Syrah (North Coast). Quite floral, dark berr y fruit, white pepper. Well-balanced, light tannins, quite nice. B+
We kept talking, and I decided I wanted to try a second red, and opened the 2011 Edmunds St John “Rocks and Gravel” . I really enjoyed this- seeme d a bit brighter than I generally remember R&G, more pretty/red fruited wit h great spice and smoke notes. Good length, well-balanced, will get more. B
+/A-On a hot Monday I had pasta and leftover vegetables, with leftover wine. Tu esday I grilled chicken breast and squash, with quinoa and the 2007 Prager “Hollerin” Riesling Smaragd. Big, vital wine, in a good place, with pit fruit and apple, good acids, lon g finish. There’s a hint of sweetness but think just ripe fruit, B+
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a pa rty where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.