I’m mostly avoiding wine on weeknights (trying not to put back on w eight), but after the “bomb cyclone” hit and I spent day sh oveling, thought I deserved some Chianti with Betsy’s ragu bolognes e. The 2010 Rocca di Castagnoli “Poggio a’Frati” Ch ianti Classico is a bigger framed Chianti, red cherry and leather, good aci ds, tannins palpable but not hard. B+ On a frigid Friday, Betsy made cod in a chipotle sauce with greens and turn ips
2016 Defino Catarratto I had ordered a couple with memory of liking a previous vintage. But this i s round and flat, peach and melon, lacking backbone and length. Looking bac k it was the Defino Frappato that I enjoyed. Good thing was when I picked u p mixed case from CSW they made a (rare) mistake, and gave me 2 of a (more expensive) Soave and only 1 of the Catarratto. When I pointed out they let the price difference slide. Now especially happy re mistake. C+2014 Karthauserhof Ruwer trocken Citrus and ginger, sprightly acids, nice length for a $15 Riesling. B/B+
Saturday was sous vide miso salmon, Brussels sprouts, arugula salad, and a leftover corn souffle. 2013 Lapierrer Morgon isn’t the most complex Morgon you’ll run across, but it’s very easy drinking in a fresh red berry way. There is a bit of tannin, but so open I think I? ?ll just drink my other 750s now. B+
Sunday was sous vide chicken with tarragon, sous vide glazed carrots (new m achine, enjoying playing), collards with garlic, and whole wheat couscous. The 2015 Eva Fricke Lorcher Schlossberg (Rheingau) isn’t totally dr y, more feinherb/halbtrocken, yellow fruits and a gingery spice, big. B+/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.