David and Mary Kate are going back to Scotland today, so last night we had a combination going-away and early Father's Day party. Dave volunteered to do the cooking, I supplied wines (I did some 1988 since he'll be away for his birthday, and 2001 as that was when Betsy and I were married). A couple of friends joined us. Nancy brought some beef satay with peanut sauce, Dave made the rest of dinner: gorgonzola, onion, sage,and tomato pizza lamb chops in panko and romano roast kale
The wines:
NV Barone Pizzini Franciacorta Brut Definitely on the sweet side for brut, a hint of yeast, plenty of applesauce, not especially long, not a fan. B-/C+
1988 Castello dei Rampolla Chianti Classico
23 is longer than I typically push CC, but this was recently available at CSW, and I took a chance. Score! Good acids, black cherry fruit, saddle leather and violets. Beautifully balanced, mature but not at all fading, delicious. A-
2001 Ch. Laforge (St Emilion) Round, lush, black plum jelly and a bit of vanilla, some liked more than Rampolla (crazy!), already feeling a little tired. B-
2001 Edmunds St. John "Rocks and Gravel" Fairly high acids, bright red fruits, a big herb/menthol/eucalyptus note that surprises me, but I find attractive with time. Pretty, balanced, firm. B+
2006 Castello di Ama Chianti Classico (375) Big, a bit tannic, raspberry and cherry, a little hint of oregano. I think this will be good, but not showing that well for now. B- for drinking now, with substantial room for improvement.
Fun night, but we'll miss Dave till Christmas. :(
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.