With some marinated chicken from HMart, the 2016 Clos de la Roilette (Coude rt) Fleurie. Sweet berries, some noticeable tannin, a little minty note. Fr esh and long. Can’t wait to try Tardive. B+
Before dinner Friday I shucked a few oysters, and opened the 2016 Pepiere “Clos des Briords” Muscadet. Nice showing - lemon and seash ell, full with racy acids, saline/rock finish. B+/A-
Broiled teriyaki salmon, rice with furikake, and bok choy. Wine was the 201
4 Raventos “de Nit” (Conca del Riu Anoia) . Tight bead, bri ght red fruit, but unlike previous bottles this seemed a little clipped and dull. Off bottle? C+/B-Saturday we went to some friends’ home for dinner and to see their son, who just finished an Army rotation in Korea. We carried the appetizers
- canapes of lonza and smoked salmon (not together), plus warm crostini wi th cheddar with olives. The 2014 Avinyo Cava Brut Reserva was soft and a li ttle sweet, with a vanillin note (oak?). B-
A nice salad with bacon and apple, then lamb shanks with orange zest on whi te beans.
2005 Lopez de Heredia “Bosconia” Rioja Reserva Beautiful, elegant showing. Black cherry and plum, citrus zest, spice. Bala nced and pretty.. B+/A-1995 Felsina Fontalloro Black cherry, leather, underbrush. Resolved tannins, balance acids, tasty a nd ready. B+
2013 Petit Saint Vincent “Les Poyeux” Saumur-Champigny Tannic, red fruited, some herb. A tad sharp and disjointed. Does not remind one of Rougeard. B-Sunday was scallops, broccoli rabe, braised leeks, rice, and the 2015 Bziko t Bourgogne Blanc. Balanced acidity, white pear fruit, a little butterscotc h note, decant length. Good food wine. B
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.