Thursday as the storm rolled in Betsy made curried shrimp and noodles from a Ming Tsai recipe, he suggested Alsatian Gewurztraminer in recipe, so I op ened the 2001 Trimbach “Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre” . Dry, a petrol not e that reminds of Riesling, but classic litchi and spiced peach notes. Real ly lovely, and in a good place. A-
Jonathan and Donna invited us and another couple to a winter dinner on a s now-covered frigid Friday. They made a slow-cooked pork roast, potatoes, sq uash, and peas; Betsy made an Asian styled salad and Lenore brought home ba ked bread.
2011 Burgans Albarino Seems very soft and a touch offdry, I’ve liked more in past, though it m ight be that this was served a bit too warm. B-/C+2011 Foillard “Cote de Py” Morgon Lovely showing, think I made a bunch of Beaujolais converts, full and rich without being big. Red fruit, spice, smoke, nice length. A-
Saturday we had some friends over for dinner, along with a standard poodle to keep Lucy company. We opened with the NV Ayala “Majeur” Brut Champag ne. Crisp, lemony, minerally, not super-complex but a nice bottle of bubbly . B/B+
Duck was the theme, and we had it in 2 courses- first a Vietnamese style du ck breast salad (with leftover Trimbach Gewurz, holding well). Next up was slow cooked legs with a mustard/panko crust, with rice, long beans, and sal ad.
2001 Marcarini “la Serra” Barolo I hesitated over opening an ‘01 Barolo, but the La Serra typically drink s younger than the Brunate, and with some air this showed well. Floral, bla ck cherries, enough tannin that I’m in no hurry, but not at all hard. B+/ B2002 Jadot “Clos des Ursules” Beaune 1er A bit tight, still some oak and primary fruit aromas, good with air but I ’ll leave remaining bottle of a while longer. B/B+
2002 Williams-Selyem Sonoma County Pinot Noir A bit disjointed, acids seem to stick out, fruit is sweet and candied with a little cola note in background. Disappointing. B-/C+Sunday was the last day before the dreaded 10 no-wine days of the Sonoma d iet, I made Portugese clams and pork. Opened a half bottle of 2006 Bize “ Bourgeots” Savigny-les-Beaune. Full, balanced acids, red-fruited, spice, earth. Nice way to go into a break. 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 objectivit y, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.