An assortment of wines, most tasted over more than one day:
Tuesday while Betsy was at work I had opened a bottle of the 2001 Carl Loewen Leiwener Klostergarten Riesling Kabinett. Tight and sweet, good acidity but the fruit showing as a rather simple super-sweet apple flavor. Not too impressive. A small glass after 3 and 4 days in the fridge showed better - the apple fruit with more of a ginger overlay, and a distinct and pleasantness chalkiness to both the nose and the finish. Not one of my favorite 2001s, but pretty good. If I had more I'd put away for a few years, but pretty sure this was a lone ranger. B/B+
Wednesday David and I had some leftover capon and boar, and I had the 2000 Lafarge Bourgogne. I've always liked this wine, but with a little air it's really hitting its stride right now. A bit heftier than it was on release, a delicously floral medium-bodied wine with clear bright red fruit, earth, and a hint of cinnamon. Tasted a couple days later, the earth component was more mushroomy. By day 4 (refrigerated and corked, not rebottled) this wine had faded. But one of the best under-$20 bottles of pinot I've had. A-
Friday Betsy made duck legs, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, and salad; I had some of the Lafarge, but felt dish called for a weightier style of Burg. Opened the 1999 Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin. More red (cherry) fruit and earth, modest tannins, and a surprisingly abrupt finish. Not showing as well as previous bottles. Day 2 seemed a bit better- more of a raspberry tilt to the fruit, with notes of animal fur and earth on the nose. A better finish. Still not as good as previous bottles. Off-bottle, awkward period, or what? B/B-
Saturday Betsy's mother, sister, niece and nephew came for dinner. Betsy agonized over dinner choices- her sister is a pesce-vegetarian, and the kids have entered the picky stage. She settled on a shrimp w/chili and capons recipe, over polenta. Starter was a Ming Tsai carrot-garlic soup over curry potato hash. Plain sauteed shrimp and some leftover mashed potatoes as backup for the kids. I served the 2003 Basa Rueda. More NZ SB-like than I remmebered, a slight jalapeno note on top of grapefruit meets gooseberry. Ripe yet with good acidity, good deal at under $10. 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 party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency. Dale
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