Friday I came home from work and opened an apertif, the 2004 Selbach- Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer) Light, with white fruit accented by some limey citrus. Good minerality on the finish. Nice bright acidity. B+
Betsy was making a Tuscan-derived recipe of duck legs in red wine with olives, she used the 2003 Monte Antico (Toscano) as a cooking wine and then we had with dinner. OK acidity considering year, round cherry and red plum fruit. Not especially deep or long, but certainly acceptable at its $6 pricetag. Label just mentions Sangiovese, I would have guessed Merlot/Sangiovese blend. B/B-
As she was doing Friday dinner Betsy was also prepping for Sunday dinner- making the elaborate brown stock and marinade needed for Tom Colicchio's shortribs (Craft cookbook). She needed most of a bottle of wine, I reserved a glass of the 2005 Marquis Phillips Shiraz. Big porty sweet Shiraz, certainly impressive for its price point but totally not my style. C+
Saturday we walked over to some friends for dinner. Started with artichoke dip and spicy spinach spread. I had a glass of the 2004 Drouhin "Laforet" Macon-Villages. No sign of oak, just clean pear fruit with a squirt of lemon. Leaner than many like, but I find it pleasant if simple. B
With dinner (chicken, stuffed squash, salad), a couple of reds:
2003 Domaine de la Noblaie "Les Chiens-Chiens" Chinon Fairly ripe and big, though with enough acidity to keep it lively, fleshy red fruit with some green pepper notes dancing in the background. Not compelling Chinon, but certainly pleasant. B/B+2001 Ch. Cantemerle (Haut-Medoc) Tight at first, lots of animal notes, maybe a little bretty. Tasted with dinner (hour open) the nose is much cleaner, dominated by red plum and a little blackberry. Medium-bodied, tannins a little drying, nice enough finish. Could probably use a couple more years. B+/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.