The 2003 Ch. d'Epire "Cuvee Speciale" Savennieres showed typicity, but unfortunately only the typicity of the vintage. Light oxidative notes, flat, flabby, and a bit hot. Tried the next day heavily sherried, really hot, and unpleasant. C-
So I didn't go with that for dinner. Betsy said she was making a Biba recipe of spaghetti with clams, I glanced at book and saw sidebar recommending Soave. So I went with the 2009 Anselmi San Vincenzo. Seemed not a great match with the clams over pasta with red pepper, till Betsy pointed out my mistake- I was looking the next recipe, for pasta with mussels . Oops. OK, so not a great match with the pepper flakes, but a pretty good wine- light to midbodied, white pit fruit and a nutty edge, moderate acidity, nice finish. B
Thursday Betsy did duck 2 ways- first individual asparagus casseroles with pecorino and a nice runny duck egg, then slow-cooked crusted duck leg, and mashed "green" potatoes (with dandelion). I had brought a bottle of Pinot Noir upstairs last week for salmon till I realized the prep didn't work, so this seemed like good time to open. I had limited expectations and was already going through possibilities for replacement wines. Not needed, I was very happy with how the 1988 Adelsheim Pinot Noir (Oregon) showed. Light color, wine is more elegant than powerful. Really sweet cherry fruit (no RS, just a sweet fruit profile) with a little pomegranite edge. Some earth and a touch of poop, gives way to spicy notes. Thoroughly enjoyable, I'm shocked how fresh this is. Held well for quite a while, though after 4 hours the ultimate glass was a bit murky (I didn't decant) and less pleasing than others as it began to fall apart. I might have to try other bottle matched in a blind flight with a Savigny or Volnay. My A- might be giving it an extra boost for exceeding expectations, but in any case I enjoyed. 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.