Betsy was leaving for NC early on Tuesday AM, and gratefully accepted an offer from friends to bring over dinner Monday. I knew the main course was fish with a Thai accent, so reversed my normal order and served a red as apertif. The
2002 Ch. d'Oupia Minervois (Languedoc-Roussillon)was a nice ripe medium-bodied wine. Nose of black fruit and olives, herbs and blackberry on the palate. Gets a little floral note after some air. Pretty good dose of tannins here, this could probably use a couple of years. But nice now. B/B+
The chef said the fish would be best grilled, so I shoveled my way out to the Weber and grilled in the 20°F evening. But it was worth it, the Chilean seabass (with a Thai curry marinade heavy on the cilantro) was very tasty. And so was the 2002 Leitz "Dragonstone" (Rüdesheim Drachenstein) Qba (Rheingau). This is about my 10th note on this wine, but I do love it. Peach and lime fruit, sweetness balanced by good acidity, nice finish. The low-alcohol (8%) is a bonus, as I do love slurping this stuff. $9 and a great deal. B+
Tuesday night Dave and I had leftovers, and I had a 375 of the Isole e Olena Chianti Classico. Nose of black cherry and a hint of wildflowers, fairly plush texture in the mouth with bitter cherry fruit. A little spice and grilled meat on the finish. Nice. B+
My usual disclaimer: I'm a pretty easy grader, basically A is a very good wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice Dale
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