Sunday night we had risotto with peas and porcini and the 2007 La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino. Medium bodied, red fruits, low acids for Sangiovese , a bit disappointing but hey $23 Brunello should temper expectations. B-/ C+ Betsy left Monday and I had leftovers (and leftover wines), the BdM held u p ok but certainly didn’t improve.
Christmas is usually a big wine time for most, but on Christmas Eve I was leading a group into city after a late service at a local church, so absta ined (and made a “clean out the fridge” stirfy for dinner - most borin g Chriistmas Eve dinner in 20 years). But good night on the streets with t he homeless.. 2 hours sleep, then up to empty vans before Dave and I took a car service to JFK. Flight to Atlanta (Betsy had flown ahead Monday to jo in her mom visiting my parents) . My brother picked us up, and we had a bi g family dinner . Turkey, ham, dressing, lasagna (because they thawed think ing it was dressing), green beans, corn, Brussels sprouts, more. I tasted 3 wines:
2007 Kistler “Hyde” Chardonnay Man, this is oaky, but that said there is interesting slatey mineral notes, and good crisp fruit, not flabby or buttery. B
2007 Silver Oak Cabernet (Alexander Valley) Oak was general over this wine, but again the basic components underneath w ere solid, and I liked this more than I expected (I thought all post85 SO w as Silver Joke). . B/B-
1997 Edmunds St. John “Fenaughty” Syrah Dry cork, and unfortunately initial opening was done with a old fashioned w ing corkscrew without an open helix. I had just gotten a Durand, but it was too late. We filtered through a coffee filter. OK, when we finally taste I love. Red fruits, pot and oregano, some peppery spice. Others like less th an I do. A-/B+
Thursday and Friday were leftovers, with leftover wine and the 2010 Ch. Ste . Michelle Pinot Gris. Floral, decent acids, but some light caramel notes o n nose and palate make me question how long this has been at room temp in m y dad’s kitchen. NR
Saturday we took over kitchen, I roasted a beef tenderloin and baked potato es, \while Betsy did the broccoli and salad. Wine was the 2011 Produttori del Barbaresco Nebbiolo (Langhe). In Georgia this costs more than I pay fo r the PdB Barbaresco in NY, but by local standards this is a deal. Cherry a nd cranberry, tar, dirt, violets. Good acids, surprising tannins. Very good . B+/B
After a bumpy flight we got back to NY and our hound, Betsy threw together a quick “green puttanesca” pasta (olives, spinach, anchovy, capers). Wi ne was the 2011 Bruna “U Baccan” Pigato. Very full, lemony, long, very good wine,but I really think for my tastes the more basic Bruna Pigatos fo r half the money do just as well. . 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 pa rty where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.