Friday my mom & dad wanted to take the family out for dinner. They chose a place called Silos in Crabapple, GA. My brother likes wine, but is hardly a geek, and my parents don't care about wine. I was handed the wine list as we arrived, to order a bottle for my dad, brother, Betsy, and myself. Not a very exciting list. Best red and maybe best deal (though no steal!) was the 2001 Justin Isosceles at $90. But there was no way to justify ordering a $90 wine on my dad's bill. I contemplated way-laying the waitress and ordering the Justin on a separate bill, but thought my dad would be insulted. So ended up ordering a cheaper ($32) 2001 CalCab. When it came it was actually the 2002 J. Lohr "Seven Oaks" Cabernet Sauvignon, but I said ok. Luckily it wasn't corked (I didn't want to have to explain sending back bottle!); the wine was certainly ripe. Lots of black plum and cassis fruit, some oak, ok wine for its niche except for an exceedingly short finish.B- I was concentrating on my food (mediocre lamb chops - I ordered rare, they ranged from rare to medium, but really delicious black-eyed pea relish and cheese grits), and didn't spot the waitress doing the old "refill the glasses of those barely drinking" bit until it was too late. My brother ran out of wine before his steak was done, he ordered a glass of the 2000 Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon, which was far less ripe than the Lohr, even a bit green, in a slightly more austere package. But there was a bit more complexity here, and the finish wasn't as clipped. OK. B
Our last meal in Atlanta was at my brother's home. Doug opened the 2000 Quintessa (Napa). I wasn't that impressed with a couple of previous tastes of Quintessa, and thought with 2000 vintage this would be a disappointment. But this is actually a nice example of a CA "meritage" blend, medium to full-bodied, good deep black fruit, smooth vanilla-oak, good finish. B+/A- Earlier in day I had stopped at a better wine store than my earlier Alpharetta experience. Good selection of wines, with staff who knew their stuff and could answer questions re storage. I picked up a 1997 Louis Latour Savigny-Les-Beaunes to go with Saturday's dinner (halibut and salmon from my brother's Alaska fishing trip). Light to medium body, modest oak, delicate pear/apple fruit with hints of a (not-unpleasant) cheesy odor. B We flew out late that evening, and spent a rainy Sunday at home. Betsy made duck legs, with a napa cabbage/apple side and roast potatoes. The wine was the
1996 de Forville Barbaresco. This was a wine I had picked up from a closeout bin at Zachys- an assortment of Italians for $15 & $25. My impression was these weren't part of Zachy's normal inventory, and these wines' provenance might be a little less than perfect. But at $15 I thought this was worth a chance. Tight upon opening (cork was in good shape, btw) , I gave it a couple hours air. The tannins and acid gradually gave way to let some red fruit flavors show through, with abundant flowers and tar. Whiffs of earth and leather. This is a pretty good wine, though overly mature for a 1996 Barbaresco from a traditonal maker, and with just the slightest hint of stewed cherries on the finish. My guess is this was stored at room temperature before Z's acquisition. At $15 I might still pick up more if it's there next time I'm by, but not making a trip for it. BGrade 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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