Monday was wineless ( dinner was bibimbap and a great tofu/edamame/shiitake stirfry), Tuesday I went to oversee the arrival of 5 busloads of clients/f riends for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner, then home for a late dinner with Bets y and her mom who just arrived from CA. Chicken and broccoli with egg noodl es, and the 2013 Guion "Cuvee Prestige" Bourgueil, Nice lighter styled Cab Franc as usual, red fruited with a lot of herb and a hint of green tobacco leaf. Fun and easy. B
Wednesday we (Betsy, her mom, and myself) met her sister's family at a loca l restaurant, Fried pickle starter was my favorite part of meal, but the s hrimp with grits and chorizo wasn't bad. Unfortunately the (vintage unknown ) BTG Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc was a bit sweet, quite vapid, & short- bu t at least it wasn't grassy! C/C+
At home we opened the 2013 Cazin Cour-Cheverney. Green apple, wax, citrus, nice length,fun and perfectly pleasant wine if not as beguiling as some vin tages. B
Thanksgiving Day Betsy did the fresh local turkey (dry brined), I made oys ter dressing and carrots with cumin & turmeric, we bundled it all over to h er sister's place. Cal & Kath did salmon, Brussels sprouts, mashed potato casserole, sweet potatoes with pecans, etc
2013 Bluestone Chardonnay (Shenandoah) Sweet canned pear, oak, not my style. C/C+2012 Selbach Oster Riesling Spatlese This isn't vineyard designated, and it comes across as clumsier than most S O wines. Moderate sweetness, good acids, white fruits, a bit monotone. Popu lar though. B-/B
1997 Kalin "Cuvee DD" Pinot Noir There's a strange funk- not brett, not reduction (I don't think) on nose,bu t not really offputting, and quite delicious on palate. Red cherries, spice , incense. Quite long, quite lively. B+2013 Foillard "Cote du Py" Morgon Bright and balanced, red fruits and underbrush, a hint of barnyard, but jus t a hint. B+
1998 Marques del Puerto Rioja Gran Reserva Black cherry, earth, oak, dill. A bit dull, not very complex, but hey it wa s supercheap. B-/C+Friday we wanted a break from leftovers, so we had lemon sole & baby bok ch oy (and a little oyster dressing ). Wine was the 2012 Drouhin St Veran. Thi s is a pretty solid wine for its price, but for my tastes it seems a bit ri per/richer/softer than some earlier vintages. I'm looking for a crisp miner ally Maconnais, and this drinks more like a ripe vintage (Cote d'Or) Bourgo gne. Still, tasty. B
Saturday was turkey pie (leftover turkey, potatoes, dressing, plus cheddar, greens, squash- all encased in puff pastry) . Wine was the 2007 Jadot (Ch. des Jacques) "la Roche" Moulin-a-vent. More Burgundian than Beaujolaisien , Red fruits, cedar, a little sandalwood. Ready. B+/B Sunday I cooked while Betsy took her mom to airport- pork tenderloin on bed of tomato/shallot, broccoli, and quinoa. Wine was the 2013 Descombes Broui lly Cherries, flowers (violet?), light herbal notes. Good acids. 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.