My sister-in-law is the only person I know who is both a violist and a doula, and I helped her out last week by going over in middle of night so someone was there with her kids while she assisted at a birth. She dropped off a thank you of some cheeses and a 1998 Ch.d'Aiguilhe (Cotes de Castillon), I opened the Bordeaux Friday night. Served with my version of a rabbit cacciatore, this was a warm plummy Merlot. Some toasty oak notes over black plum and raspberry fruit. There's a slight roasted note, this is far more mature than a bottle from my cellar last year, I'm not sure re storage of this one. Still, a nice pleasant rather international Bordeaux. B
Saturday night I was invited to a housewarming/birthday party for an old friend and her fiancee (Betsy alas was working). Friday I had made Gabrielle Hamilton's pickled shrimp as my culinary contribution. I carried along a bottle of NV Astoria Prosecco as a counterpart. Light-bodied (to the point I almost said unsubstantial) off-dry, with a light green apple fruit base and a hint of flowers. Clean and unoffensive, but while I don't expect yeasty Champagne flavors from Prosecco, I would like something to keep me interested. B-/C+
Lots of food out, including poached salmon, ham, beef kebabs, cauliflower salad, and green beans. There were several Spanish wines making the rounds, and I tried to give them all equal time:
2004 Luzon (if I read label correctly, fancy yet almost unreadable label) OK, this is a ripe internationally styled wine that many here might hate. But I thought for a reasonably priced wine this had some real character. There is some vanilla oak, but there's a nice layer of herbal and floral notes over the black fruit that makes me give some real attention. Bottles were being opened and emptied too quickly to really notice evolution, but even in my glass a bit of swirling brought out a bit of smoke and leather. A little too ripe/round for my tastes, but at least it's interesting ripe fruit. B2003 Peitan Albarino (Rias Baixas) Rather floral, with pineapple, mango, and peach fruit. Not as flabby as some 2003s, but still could use more acidic zip. Better as a sipper than with the food. B/B-
2004 Oro de Castilla Rueda Good lemon-over-peach fruit. Light aromas of grass and fennel/anise. Good crisp acidity, light bodied wine but most food friendly of the bunch. B/B+Nice night. Fascinating mix, as those of us who were Sarah's friends met Jay's friends for the first time (and vice versa). But as much as I enjoyed the people, it was the reunion with the Sarah's Shih Tzu Bailey and Portugese Water Dog Bailey (who I used to dogsit for) that really made my evening.
Sunday my day was spent working (quarterly meeting), and Betsy was working too. But she came home and threw together a quick groundmeat/pepper/tomato sauce, made some kale, and grated some radicchio. The sauce went over some pasta, the kale was served over toast with romano cheese, and the radicchio topped with egg and tossed with an anchovy vinaigrette. I chose a 2001 Tenimenti Angelini "Sanleonino" Chianti Classico. After serving I went back to ascertain I had right vintage- yep. Dense bitter cherry and black plum fruit, rather low acidity, green tannins. Not a rebuy for me. 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.