Saturday I attended one of my friend Alex's "Table d'Hote" dinners (a fundraiser at a local church). The theme was cassoulet, and Alex outdid himself. I found myself in the winegeeky section of the room, and as we feasted on duck, sausage and beans we had:
1996 Primo Palatum Cahors I had picked this up for very cheap from PC. Dense thick wine, with black plum and raisin fruit. Some sweet oak aromas, too. Still tannic. I guess this isn't traditional Cahors, but it's fun and unusual. End of bottle has some leather and smoke aromas. B+2000 Ch. Lagrezette Cahors A little rustic, with some VA at opening. Blow off quickly. Lighter bodied than the Primo Palatum. Also on the black plum side of the fruit spectrum. Needs a little time - tannins are a bit raspy. B/B-
1999 Meo-Camuzet Hospices de Beaune Pommard This was served without a label, donor wanted us to guess. I made a stab, guessing a Beaune 1er Cru. Not that far off, I was surprised I was as close as I came (a good weekend for guessing for me), but surprised when I saw producer. I think of Meo-Camuzet as very oaky, and I didn't pick up any substantial new oak here. A ripe earthy Pinot Noir, some slightly clunky tannins. But the truffle/mushroom/loam notes are quite appealing, as is the dark cherry fruit. B/B+NV Chandon Brut A little yeast, a lot of apple fruit. A bit dull, but maybe just overpowered by company. B-
Last night I couldn't wrestle up a dinner companion, with Betsy gone I cooked a small steak (marinated in red wine and herbs, the marinate then reduced and poured over meat), with some leftover pasta and some salad. I decided if I had to eat my cooking, I'd reward myself vinously. So I decanted the 1990 Meyney (St. Estephe), an old favorite. Luscious blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, lots of tobacco and cigarbox notes. A bit of earth and some light spice. A-
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