Betsy had a concert and I had leftovers (sausage, eggplant, mushrooms) and the 2014 L’Ecu “Granite” Muscadet. Pit fruits, meye r lemon, good acids. B+
Saturday we went to a benefit for social programs at a local church. A Cinc o de Mayo theme, with programs for immigrants spotlighted. During the silen t auction phase there were several kinds of salsas, guacamole, and the NV J aume Serra “Cristalino” Brut Cava. Very light, granny smith and lemon, simple but easy. B-
I had carried wines for our table, including a mag of Champagne but ended u p opening the 2013 Raventos I Blanc “De La Finca” (Conca Del Riu Anoi a). Super crisp, grapefruit and green apple, long oyster shell finish. Quit e fun. B+
Shrimp Ceviche
2001 Remi Jobard “ Le Poruzot-Dessus Meursault 1er. I carried 2 of these, one showed just a hint of appley oxidation, other was fresher, but not especially complex, hint of oak, ripe apples. Others like d more. B-Grilled Skirt steak, Chicken Mexican style, stuffed peppers with saffron ri ce, corn/bean salad.
2003 Travaglini Gattinara (Double Magnum) Thought with big crowd fun to share a 3 liter (big version of the funky Tra vaglini bottle). Good acids for ‘03, light tannin, red cherry and r aspberry with some lemon zest. I double decanted at home (multiple decanter s), but it opened up in bottle at party, revisited at dessert time it had s ome Piedmont tar I didn’t notice before. Not a ringer for Barolo, b ut fun. B+/B1979 Domaine de Chevalier Double-decanted about 2 hours before serving. Cedar/cigarbox and red plums, good acids, just a hint of tannin, nice earth/mushroom notes as it develop s. Nice showing from an old fave. B+/A-
2015 Cline Zinfandel (Lodi) Sweet, simple, but competent. B-2013 Abrazo Jammy, yet weedy, short/clipped finish. C
Fun night
Betsy was at a business dinner Sunday, I grilled tuna and made some caulifl ower, wine was the 1998 Poujeaux. Cassis, black plum, moderate acids, not a lot of tannin but what is there a bit tacky. Servicable. B/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.