I found a few bottles in cellar that I hadn't really meant to be stored. There was one bottle of the 1997 Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Centennial Release Cabernet Sauvignon. I brought home one to serve with steak in a shallot/vinegar sauce and baked potatoes. The suspense of any '97-'99 BV offering at opening- will I be assailed with wet cardboard? It's OK, actually I think it was more the high end wines that supposed to be affected/infected. Soft and ripe, tannins pretty much disappeared, cassis and blackberry fruit, some cedar and vanilla. A little softer than I'd prefer for the food. B I had also found 3 forgotten bottles of the 1999 Cline Zinfandel (California). It had more of an acidic zip, with nice red brambly fruit and some overtones of spice and cedar. Holding up ok, but glad I found when I did. B+
Then last night thunderstorms ruled out our usual Wed al fresco concerts. So we invited some friends for dinner and a toast to a new bishop. But a little communication breakdown led to way too much food. They brought a salade Nicoise, so I opened the rosé I had planned for the concert picnic. 2002 Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo "Il Mimo " (Colline Novaresi). This rosé Nebbiolo has been my favorite pink of summer. Floral nose of violets and roses, rich red fruit with good balanced acidity, long mineral finish. B++. Not really knowing re the Salade Nicoise, Betsy had planned duck-two-ways - first confit and baked figs followed by a salad with walnuts and duck breast. With these dishes I had a pair of Burgundies, the 1997 Parent "Les Chanlins" Pommard 1er Cru and the 1996 Jean Grivot Vosne-Romanée. The Parent (not a producer I really know, this was a gift) Pommard had rich fruit, was soft without being flabby,with some nice spice and damp earth on top of the red fruit. A- The Grivot Vosne was surprisingly hard, big tannins (for a 7 yr-old village wine) lurking under the cherry fruit and earth notes. Good acidity though, I'll give it a B/B+, but more time might considerably improve it. Finished the dregs with some Epoisses and Mimolette.
My usual disclaimer: I'm a pretty easy grader, basically A is a very good wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice.
Dale
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