Betsy needed cooking wine while I was in city, and used the 2013 Chidaine T ouraine Sauvignon. A glass next day was clean, fresh, light, correct. B
Wednesday was herbed salmon, brown rice with nori, pak choy, and the 2009 Louis de Turquin Morgon. Not a producer I know, stumbled across in cellar a nd have no clue how it got there. Fairly fat and fleshy, plummy fruit, frui t forward, this isn't something I'd seek (or maybe pick as Gamay much less Morgon), but decent flavors. But a tad short. B-/C+
With swordfish, carrot-ginger soup, and collards 2013 Nikolaihof "Hefeabzug " Gruner Veltliner. Lighter styled, hint of spritz, moderate acids,fresh with apple and green peas. Saline mineral notes on finish. B/B+
With a spicy Tunisian chicken/chickpea soup, the 2007 La Rioja Alta "Alberd i" Rioja Reserva. Coconut and toffee aromas from the US oak, redder fruits , plush, spicy, it's a little much for me now, but think it will calm down . For now B-
Friends brought their new cockapoo pup for first playdate with Lucy, while they chased each other and enjoyed marrow bones the people enjoyed bluefish dijonnaise, steamed romanesco, a rice/corn salad, and Brussels sprouts.
2008 Juve y Camps "Reserva de la Familia " Brut Nature Cava Crisp dry, seems a bit severe at first, opens up, bread/yeast, citrus fruit . Good value. B/B+
1989 Kramp "Ayler Kupp Saar" Riesling Kabinett Trocken A big dose of petrol, but that's the only indication of age. Green apples, just a touch of sugar, light-bodied. Not very complex, but tasty. B
2013 Pepiere Muscadet Seashells, saline, crisp citrus, great value.; B+
With Betsy's sister and her husband, acorn squash & poblano soup, king crab legs, and a mushroom/kale saute.
1988 Luigi Einaudi Barolo I had thought there was going to be polenta with a mushroom topping, and th ought Nebbiolo might go. Already opened when I learned of change of plan. G lad I did open it- midbodied, mature, sweet red fruits, flower petals and t ar, not a wow wine, but a nice example of non-trophy Barolo. B/B+
2011 Lafouge "les Boutonniers"Auxey-Duresses Pure chardonnay fruit with just a hint of sweet oak, good acids, crisp, wit h a full body, A real overachiever, and I'm quite sad to see it's my only b ottle. A-/B+
2005 Baumard "le Paon" Coteaux du Layon Apricot and fruit salad. Sweet, some botrytis, needs more verve. B-/C+
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a p arty where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.