Dammit, Betsy's season started. The first night that it's just David and I for dinner, I do a couple of ribeyes and some squash on the grill. The wine is the 2001 Ch. Siaurac (Lalande de Pomerol). This is NOT one of those Lalande de Poms that make you think they're almost Pomerol. Black plum fruit, a little earth, a decent wine at it's $10-12 range but not something to look for. B
Next night it's David and I again; I grill salmon, with some portabellos and a seaweed salad on side. A 375 of the 1999 Domaine de Courcel "Fremiers" Pommard is up. Tight at first- I mean really tight, virtually nothing showing. I switch to an open white, then return at end of meal. Still a bit clunky, but its a Pommard - I wasn't looking for graceful. Medium-bodied, good dark cherry fruit, some rather hard tannins. As evening progresses I nurse a series of small pours. Gradual opening, this ends up as a pretty nice wine, if a bit more robust than I expected. Flowers, earth, and a little herb. Will put other half away for a while. B/B+?
Tonight it's just me, lamb chops, the grill, and a 1999 Havens Bourriquot (Napa).. Big New World fruit bomb nose at first, but quickly settles into nice balanced red, deep black cherry and raspberry fruit with a hint of earth, more leather and cedar on the finish, as well as some distinct Graves-like minerality. Good stuff, A-/B+
Over 4 nights, there was also the NV Gazela Vinho Verde (2005 on back label). Light, fresh, crisp, lightly petillant (at least on the first couple nights), a deal at under $6. 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