With dal and saag aloo (pretty good if I say so myself) the 2010 Gunderloch Nackenheimer Rothenberg Spatlese. Sweetness, but loads of acids to counter balance. White peach, lime, a hint of petrol. Long finish, quite good. B+ Tuesday I was out, but Dave was cooking for Betsy, and needed a cup of whit e. I sacrificed the 2008 Mount Eden “Saratoga” Chardonnay (Santa Cruz M ountains). Not that much of a sacrifice I decided when I tasted next day- s weet pear fruit and oak, a bit simple and dull. I’ve liked other vintages much more. C+/B-
With halibut with lemon butter and potatoes, the 2012 Cowan Cellars Ribolla Gialla (RRV). Really interesting wine, full with mango and apricot fruit, good acids. I was expecting more of an “orange wine” - this was a (very good) more conventional white. B+
With chicken/apple sausage and leftovers, the 2010 Lafouge “La Chapelle ” Auxey-Duresses 1er. Rich black cherry fruit, smoke and orange zest, lo vely balance, not shut down yet, very tasty. A-/B+
With sea trout , winter squash, wheatberries, & salad, the 2010 Calabretta Carricante. Pit fruits, lemon, saline, nice balance, good finish. Buy again . B+
A table of six (plus 2 dogs with bones) for dinner Saturday. Greeting wine was the NV Taittinger “La Francaise” Champagne Brut. Lighter styled, fresh, green apple, biscuit. Not compelling but fresh and easy. B/B+
First course of butter fried oysters. Wine was the 2012 Via Arxentea Treixa dura-Godello (Monterrei). This had some floral/oily notes, a sweet edge, ci trus fruit. I had trouble warming to this though a couple of people enjoyed . I’m a Godello fan but found this not so fun. B-/C+
Main course was leg of lamb (with anchovies, garlic, and herbs), roasted ve getables, lentils:
2010 Maison Bleue “Jaja” (Yakima Valley). A GSM blend, I opened this be cause the visiting standard poodle is named Jaja. Fairly plush, interesting array of crushed berries that doesn’t quite fall into jammy, just a touc h of heat, but still interesting. B2012 Henri Marionett “Les Cepages Oublies” Gamay de Bouze (VdP Val de L oire). Not sure if Gamay de Bouze differs from Gamay. Very cool and exotic wine- darker fruits and lots of spice, a hint of pine needle. Didn’t remi nd me of other Loire Gamay or of Beaujolais. Not very long, but interesting . B+/B
1998 Guigal Cote-Rotie - I found this a bit disappointing. Some sturdy dar k fruit, leather, a touch of floral, good acids, but a little ashtray, and it turned pruney with an hour or so of air. B-Betsy made some pasta with leftovers Sunday, I opened the 2004 Deiss “Gr asberg.” I had forgotten how sweet and fat this was- I expect some RS wi th Deiss, but this was like a VT, Thick texture, ginger and tropical fruits , overtly floral. Not my style. C+
Betsy’s mom arrived from CA and joined us for dinner. Who cares re season , I made asparagus and pea risotto (plus baked portobellos, salad, and bals amic-marinated baked tofu). Wine was the 2009 F. Cotat “Les Culs de Beauj eau” Sancerre. This is really nice now- ripe but with a good backbone of acid, grapefruit and melon fruit, complex and rather floral nose. Not ove rtly SB. Very long, delicious, minerally finish. A-/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 objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.