Most of the week off recuperating from a procedure. Ready for a glass by Sat.
With swordfish, lentils, sourdough discard pancake, salad, the 2022 Tiberio Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Herby, crunchy, rich strawberry/cherry fruit, lemon zest. Pairs well with the swordfish. B+
With grilled halibut (how did I ever grill fish without a thermopro?), Israeli couscous, and salad
2021 Baudry Le Domaine Chinon Blanc. Sweet apple, orange zest, saline/mineral finish, quite good. B+I wasn’t up for usual 30-50 person Labor Day party (too much cooler and table moving), but felt we could handle 8 friends. I made salsa and grilled leeks with mustard vinaigrette, Betsy made potato salad and smashed cucumber salad. I grilled clams, pork Andouille, chicken sausage, Tbone and top round (I’m doing low fat) marinated in fish sauce, and a nice Flannery hanger that Mark brought. Others brought cheese/salami hors d’oeuvres, cabbage/pepper/onion pie, pasta salad, and a plum tart.
2022 Baudry Chinon Rose Classic, easy, ripe year but still some zip. B+/B2018 de Vodanis Vouvray Sec tendre, good acids but some surprising heat on finish makes me less a fan. B-/C+
2012 Mt Eden Chardonnay Reserve White fruits, citrus zest, floral, just a hint of butterscotch. Not my usual clam wine but it works. B+1998 Ch. la Gaffeliere Opened a 98 for sentimental reasons. The great ‘98 vintage gives this a bit more oomph than usual Gaffeliere, this is in a nice spot - herbal, elegant, and surprisingly complex with a cigarbox profile that is totally ready. Not really very long, but a very good showing. B++ .
2005 Vieux Chateau Certan This is VERY young, but this is going to a great great wine. Cassis, black plum, cocoa powder and a touch of vanilla. Very pure fruit, smooth tannins, an acidic backbone that is totally integrated. Even though you can tell it is coiled it’s pretty tasty, but in 15 years I expect this will be utterly brilliant. B+ with solid A futureGrade 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 party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.