With fluke and barley, the 2012 Dampt Chablis "Cote de Lechet" Chablis 1er. Appley fruit, some chalk and white rock, decent length. B
Sunday I had an all day meeting while Betsy had a concert on Long Island, s he ate with her colleagues while I had assorted leftovers and the 2003 Lafa rge Volnay Vendanges Selectionees. I bought few 2003 Burgs, but this was on e I thought had potential (I'm a "producer, producer, producer" guy), thoug h tannic when young. So the good news is that it doesn't come across as tan nic or overripe, the bad news is that it isn't especially interesting or ta sty. Cassis fruit (in Volnay?) , strained acidity, short . C+
Monday I did " eggs in hell" over pasta with the JP Brun/Terres Dorees FRV
100, Fun and frothy (a bit too frothy, I had to change the tablecloth after an inept opening). Some RS, herbs and spice, different and fun wine. B+/BTuesday was grilled teriyaki salmon, asparagus, and leftover barley with fu rikake (because I plugged in rice cooker but forgot to turn on). Wine was a n unconventional match, the 2009 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco. Rip er than most young PdB Barbaresco, red cherries and leather, moderate tanni ns, needs time, I like don't love. B
Wednesday was a chicken fricasee with cherry tomatoes, I wasn't drinking as I taking a group to Manhattan, but Betsy used the 2012 Horgelus Sauvignon Blanc/Gros Manseng (Gascony) for cooking. I tried the next night - would ha ve guessed any SB, this was round with mostly floral notes, more like a whi te Rhone (but not a very good one). On other hand, it was under $5. C+
Last night we had some friends over who hadn't seen Dave in a while. Opener was the 2002 La Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dose. Dry, nutty, a bit sharp. B
First course was deviled squid (broiled with mustard and panko), with the 2
011 Rollin Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Beaune Blanc. Surprisingly full for ap pellation, good acidity, clean Chardonnay white fruits, this is a buy-agai n. B+Main was grilled flank steak, a quinoa/wild rice mix, roasted kale
2009 Breton "Franc de Pied" Bourgueil I actually thought I was bringing up the 05, oops. This was a bit muted at first, but opened nicely, and I think was most people's fave. Rich dark ber ries, a little herb, a tad rounder than I expected, but great length for a $20ish bottle. Got better and better through night. B++2011 Rollin Hautes-Cotes de Beaune Rouge Bright, minerally fresh Burg with raspberries and earth. B+/B
2001 Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Slightly kirschy fruit, some vanilla still apparent, mostly resolved tannin s, holding on but not my favorite this night. B-Tonight, littlenecks in a garlic sauce over pasta, with a salad with bacon and mushrooms, and the Fiano 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.