Saturday evening opened a bottle of 2001 Carpineto Chianti Classico to be assailed by moldy cardboard. Luckily I was going out, stopped by my local winestore (Rochambeau) where they exchanged without question. Bottle #2 was quite different- clean rich cherry fruit with a hint of violets, medium-bodied. A little riper/rounder than my ideal, but a nice Chianti to go with a Bolognese sauce that included Chinese sausage (!?!?!). B/B+
Sunday we went to visit our former neighbors. I had a glass of the 2001 Cartlidge & Brown Cabernet Sauvignon. I've liked wines from this producer before, but this is like a poster child for the dangers of low-acid wines. Sweet blackberry fruit, some oak (not a lot, but somehow unintegrated), short finish. C+
The main course was an Indonesian beef curry, I had brought along the 2002 J. J. Christoffel Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett. Sweetness balanced by good acidity, an explosion of fruit (cherry, pineapple, and peach) and some minerality. Long finish. B+/A-
As they served dessert, they brought out a bottle of NV Nicolas Feuillatte Brut as a slightly premature celebration of Betsy's birthday. Light to medium bodied, strong toast aromas, nice finish. Very nice. B/B+
Earlier Saturday I had attended a tasting at Zachy's:
1996 Agrapart "L'Avizoise" Champagne Zesty granny smith and citrus fruit, some yeast and toast aromas, very good. At $40 a pretty good deal. B++
2002 Pazo de Señorans Albariño Rounder than previous vintages, but still crisp flavors, floral nose. B
2001 Westerly Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc Grassy, sharp fruit, ok, but at $19 not exactly a bargain. B
2002 Bernard Morey Bourgogne Blanc Medium body, clean fruit, unflawed but unexciting. B/B-
2002 Picq "Vosgros" Chablis Nice!!! Flinty minerality, zippy acidity, great apple & lemon fruit, this is a buy ($22). A-
2001 Varner Ampitheater Block Chardonnay Oak, white fruit, buttery finish. Good for the style. B/B+
2001 Bernard Morey "Morgeot" Chassagne-Montrachet Good, nice classy C-M. B+
2002 Clos de la Roilette "horse Label" Fleurie Wow, this is some wine for $13! Pretty floral nose, good cherry fruit, long finish. Another buy. B+ (A for value)
1994 Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Reserva Red plum fruit, some spice and oak. Good. B/B+
2001 Mas Doix Salanques (pretty sure this ws Priorat) Round red fruit, fair amount of oak, though fruit seems to stand up to it. B
2000 Flor de Pingus Peppery black fruit, but with an odd/funky taste on finish. Took another sip, the weird vegetal thing was now front and center. Flawed bottle? I know others love this. C
2001 Lignier-Michelot Chambolle Musigny VV Crisp medium bodied Burg, quite nice, as I'd expect from this producer. B+
1998 G. Mascarello "Monprivato" Barolo Nose of roses and cherries, deep red fruit with some earth. Excellent. A-/A
2000 Bussola Amarone BG I'd be first to admit I don't know much about Amarones, always a wine I didn't quite get, but this one piques my interest. Rich red plum and prune fruit, a subtle smokiness, very good. B+/A-
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre at best. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Dale
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