No wine Wednesday, as I trekked to Long Island for a speech. But Thursday night we had "Pir Vilayat's dinner" (steamed salmon with chard and onions) and barley, with the 2005 Chevillon Bourgogne. I like Pinot and salmon, but for this dish I usually prefer white, but the red was handy! Really nice showing, I was afraid it would be closed, but steady and straightforward red cherry fruit, strong earthy elements, with some air some smoke and cocoa. Good length, vivid but balanced acids, fun. Doesn't hold up well overnight, but on night 1 more open than I expected, and a B+
Tonight Betsy made an old fave for Dave and I, steak over a salad of watercress and parsley with a horseradish/caper/mustard dressing, plus a side of carrots and parsnips with Indian spices. I usually let wine sit for a couple weeks after shipping, but NJ is near, so I went with a bottle of 2006 Ridge Lytton Springs that I got for $18.xx (w/free shipping) from Cinderella recently. OK, not biggest most concentrated Lytton, but clean blackberry meets black raspberry fruit, a hint of vanilla, oregano/herb notes. Underbrush, earth, but mostly about berry fruit. Some tannins. Good, not great. 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.