Betsy's away at NC coast doing some concerts, David is with his dad, so I'm forced to fend for myself for a few days. Wednesday I concoct a strange (but tasty) red-wine sauce for a pan-seared porterhouse utilizing leftover mushrooms and shallots. Seems like a good time to try a gift bottle, the 2001 Lion's Gate Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Nose of sweet oak and something I can't quite place......a tentative sip- I've got it: Welch's grape jelly. Grape jelly and blackberries dominate the palate. Moderate tannins. OK acidity, but short finish. C+ (note- a sip each of two following nights showed the grapiness lessening, but at best would bring up to a B-)
Later that night I open a bottle of the 2002 "Clos des Briords Vieilles Vignes” Muscadet Sèvre & Maine Sur Lie (Marc Ollivier). Somewhat tight, with a lot of body for a Muscadet. Corked and refrigerated, then brought out for the following night's culinary experiment – shrimp and leeks over pasta. Big, with flavors of lemon juice over granite (ok, so I haven't tasted that combo, but I can imagine). Lots of minerality, lots of citrus, lots of acid, lots of lots. Great wine for $10 or 12. A-/B+
Friday some good friends took pity and invited me to dinner, even going so far as to invite Lucy the Wonder Basset. They were serving lamb, so of course I thought Bordeaux. The 2000 Ch. Lanessan (Haut Médoc) could have used some good decanting time, but still did the job with the tasty roasted lamb. A bit tight, but with good cassis fruit and a hint of spice. Some cedary oak, good finish. Tannins could use a little time, but tasty now. A very good buy in $15 Bordeaux. B+ Nice evening with good friends (and little kids who adored Lucy). Basset needs kept it from being a long evening, but it was fun. For a little while I almost stopped missing Betsy. :)
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. Dale
Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply