Sunday we went to Irvington to dinner at friends. They greeted us with shii take toasts, cheese, and olives, along with a servicable Prosecco that I ne glected to note.
Dinner was risotto with a red sauce, along with caprese, beets, and salad. She had asked for a "strong red", and I brought one
2002 Galardi "Terra di Lavoro" (Roccamonfina) This is a big wine. At first I thought it might be a little hot and stewed, but the pruney note seemed to blow off. Tons of sediment. Cassis, tar, lea ther. Like a cross between a big Medoc and a semi-modern Barolo. Lot of cha racter here., but there's a glossy oak note as well. B/B+There was also a 2005 Corino Dolcetto d'Alba. A bit of tannin remained, che rry and blueberries, but this is quite tired with some ashtray notes and a short finish. C/C+
Monday was our anniversary and we went to Aldea near Union Square. I starte d with a gorgeous egg, with bacalhau, black olive, & potato crisps. Next I had baby squid with a romesco sauce and squid ink, followed by venison ste ak with chanterelles and baby vegetables. Betsy started with uni toast, the n had matsutake and chanterelles with Benton's bacon , greens, and egg. Her main was a variation on the classic Portugese pork and clams, with sucklin g pig and sunchokes
2001 Nicolas Potel Mazis-Chambertin Tight and a little musty at first (but not corked), opens a bit, red fruit, spice, earth. Pleasant and a good accompaniment to the food, but didn't st rike me as GC. A 2001 Drouhin village Chambolle recently had more depth. De cent wine, but a little disappointing in context. B/B-With my squid I had a glass of the 2012 Bret Brothers Macon-Villages- fresh , nicely balanced, clean, good wine. B/B+
Last night I put together a quick pasta al Norma, with the 2012 Terre Nere Etna Rosso. Red fruits, good acids, light but noticable tannins, maybe just a hint of heat (wow, this is 14.5%, don't remember that from previous year s). Still, I like 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.