I was going out, but opened a bottle of the 2011 Zaccagnini Montepulciano d 'Abruzzo for Betsy's dinner Friday. Straightforward, juicy black cherry, a little earth and leather, a good easygoing pizza wine. B/B-
Saturday Betsy was playing in city and I had leftovers- turkey in a red win e sauce, polenta, & assorted vegetables. I opened the 2010 Clos Roillete "C uvee Tardvie" Fleurie just because. Tight, tight, tight. After an hour or s o it started to show more- darker fruit than I typically expect in Gamay, b ut good acids, nice balance, and a good sense of completeness. I'll try to keep my hands off this for a while. B+ with upwards potential.
Sunday night scallops on a mango salsa, barley "risotto" and broccoli , wit h the 2008 Brocard "Valmur" Chablis Grand Cru. Full, rich, flinty with whit e pit fruits. A bit fatter than my ideal, but good. Should age, but with pr emOx I take no chances. B+/B
With roast chicken with carrots and turnips, sauteed spinach, and blackeyed peas, the 2005 Gauthier/Cret de Ruyere "Cuvée des Anges" . I searched fo r Chiroubles on the front label without success, just learned it was denied appellation. Atypical indeed, it tastes better than 98% of Chiroubles. Cru nchy cranberries, smoke, herb. Nice acids, complete and ready. 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