I realized when I took out recycling I forgot one Labor Day wine, the 2016 Calabretta Etna Rosato. I didn’t take notes, but I remember this as being quite tasty in an “almost a red” style, including a bit of tannin.
Friday I poached some haddock and vegetables in white wine, used a bottle o f 2014 Clos du Bois Chardonnay (California) that someone had brought to par ty (figured if it went to cellar, I’d never bring back up). Movie p opcorn butter and vanilla bathroom candle, round with canned fruit cocktail on palate. Not my style C/C+
But the 2015 Mardon Quincy Tres Vieilles Vignes was a lovely lighter styled SB. Grapefruit, citrus zest, and a touch of glass. Lively, bright, fine va lue at about $14. B+/B
Saturday we went to the new jazz club in Tarrytown for the early show- a tr io with the legendary Jimmy Cobb on drums. We snacked on meatballs and chic kpea tapenade and tried a couple BTG
2016 Aia Vecchia Vermentino Soft, peachy, melon, needs backbone B-/C+2014 Quattro Mani Montepulciano d'Abruzzo . A little hot on nose, but more balanced on palate, red plums and cherries, a little ash. B-
Then home where I had some short ribs & cabbage in a slow cooker, with the
2007 Vallana Gattinara. Light to middleweight, black cherry , a touch of Ne bbiolo rose petal/floral notes. BSunday Betsy had a concert, I did the shopping for friends to come over aft er. Guests brought shrimp canapes and cheese-stuffed mushrooms, plus I shuc ked a few oysters
2016 Ch. de l’Eperonniere Rose de Loire. Light, strawberries and ro semary, good enough.B-Betsy made a house favorite, a lobster/corn/tomato salad. The 2013 Alain Ch avy Puligny-Montrachet is very high acid, clean citrus and green apple, a t ouch of chalk/seashell. Tasty, but in a more of a Chablis style than Pulign y. B
Followed that with Toulouse sausage, bratwurst, and squash from the grill, and the
2001 Duclaux Cote Rotie. Fully mature, resolved tannins, nice fresh acids, dark fruit with lots of bacon. Drink up (and enjoy). B+/BGrade 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.