Tuesday was my stepson's birthday, and he celebrated with a concert by his band celebrating their new CD (self-released,the wonders of modern computers). I arrived home too late for most of it, but enjoyed the rather colorful horde of teens. After they cleared out, I cleaned up, while Betsy made duck breast with a honey/mustard/olive sauce. We had a nice dinner on the patio, with the 1999 Joseph Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin. A Rhone might have matched the sauce better, but I haven't brought any home yet. The Gevrey had an earthy nose, abundant red fruit, and nicely defined acidity. Good clean fairly long finish. I was happy when I was paying $25 for this, and at $19.99 (POst in Syosset NY) it's quite a good deal. B+/A-
Since my cellar has neared completion, I've been bringing home a couple of cases per day from office storage. This is also giving me a chance to update inventory, as there are things I drank w/o removing from database, and many more I never got around to entering. Plus there is the 1997 La Chenade (Lalande de Pomerol), which I had marked off, but then yesterday I found a straggler in bottom of a bin. Carried home, double-decanted, and then we walked over to some friends for dinner. Several kinds present, so the ecletic meal had filet mignon, hot dogs, pasta with pestol, and salad.
The La Chenade was a bit of a disappointment. From release till a couple of years ago it had featured rather exuberant fruit for a '97, but now the fruit seemed to lack freshness. There's a hint of dilution I didn't notice before, and the overall effect is rather boring. Not undrinkable, but indistinguishable from a modest CA merlot that is a touch past its prime. C+/B-
Another guest had brought the 2000 Ch. Barreyres (Haut-Médoc). Very tight at first, but some air let it show nicely. Ripe blackcurrant fruit, light tannins, rather upbeat acidity. Nice modest Bordeaux, might see if more's available locally. B/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. Dale
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