A few days of wines, from ok to very good
Wednesday was a scorcher, and after walking the dog I enjoyed a cold glass of the 2008 Brocard Domaine Ste Claire" Petit Chablis. Citrus, apple, a little hint of cut grass. Good acidity, refreshing. Very good for appellation. B
Dinner was assorted leftovers (pork chops, pasta, radicchio slaw) 2008 Angiolino Maule "Rosso Masieri"(Rosso del Veneto). Bright acidity with a faint hint of petillance, raspberries and red plums, a hint of green herbs, some smoke and flinty minerals. Reminds me of a "natural" Cab Franc or maybe Gamay, I'm assuming some indigenous grape (Corvina? Lagrein?) but it turns out to be Merlot, which I wouldn't have guessed (though maybe the plum notes could have been a clue). But for $15 a very tasty wine. B+/B (on day 2 Dave detected a "fishy" note, but all I got different was a little oxidative edge)
Thursday I ate alone (Betsy's in Maine for a concert, Dave was with girlfriend) -some baked chicken thighs, with more leftovers. Despite it having cooled down a lot, I went pink, with the 2009 JP Brun/Terres Dorees Rose d' Folie, in the nice frosted bottle. Strawberries, cherries, and orange zest, fun and forward. Will get more. B+
Friday a porterhouse, with squash and salad. The 2007 Bachelet Bourgogne seemed acidic and shrill when opened, settled down a bit. Cherries, higher acids, a little hint of mocha. Good for appellation, but not great, and less interesting than most vintages I've tried - none of that "baby Gevrey" character. B Except after writing that I revisited next night, and it was full, giving, and with Gevreyesque dirt. B++ on night 2
Saturday 2 wines- the 2006 Terry Hoage "the Hedge" Syrah was a nice version of Cali Syrah, a bit bigger and riper than most Northern Rhones, but not Barossa motoroil meets blackberry jam. Smoke, black fruits, medium tannins, enough acidity to balance the sweet fruit. B/B
+
2009 Ameztoi "Rubentis" Getariako Txakolina rosado Hint of spritz, candied fruit and geranium on nose, cherries and strawberries on palate. A tad austere. Certainly pleasant enough to drink with some lemon grilled chicken breast, but at $20 I'm not a re- buyer. 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 party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.