On Dave’s actual 30th
1988 Ch. Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Total overachiever for the vintage. Red currant, smoke, coffee. The acids a nd red fruit would probably not have led me to CA Cab if this was blind, bu t it’s really tasty. Some tannic structure. Holds up overnight. B+Our friend Ron was playing with the pianist Bill Mays, great show, weak win e list (?) Saget Sauvignon Blanc (Loire) Tart, thin, overcropped ,C+
Lady of Spain Cava Forgettable, short, coarse, C+/C
With spicy shrimp/arugula salad
2016 Pieropan Soave Classico Pear and almond, saline finish, B/B+2017 Schloss Gobelsburg Cistercien Rose Hint of spritz, strawberries and watermelon, good acids, stony finish. B+
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a p arty where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency