Waygu burgers and a lot of leftovers Th, with the 2006 Hudelot-Noellat Chambolle-Musigny, Fairly ripe, pleasant red plum and cranberry, a touch of cocoa. Good length and fun to drink, but I think time to drink up. B+/B
Friday an old fave recipe, Bobby Flay?s chicken breast with herb sauce, with potatoes, green salad, and the 2018 Chermette ?Garants? Fleurie. This is pretty elegant for a 2018, there?s plenty of black cherry fruit (accented with smoke and anise), but it?s bright and lively. B+
Saturday Betsy?s sister and family came to dinner, and we kinda overdid the food part: prosciutto/avocado canapes Oysters with a pickled ramp mignonette Fried squid, scallops, maitake, king trumpets on arugula with parmesan Grilled rack of lamb Angel hair cooked in broth/cream/porcini powder with mushroom ragu celery/chickpea salad Cal brought a Ottolenghi recipe cake -chocolate with citrus peel
2005 André Beaufort Champagne Grand Cru Demi-Sec Oops. I thought this was the ?05 Beaufort Brut, and was shocked when I tasted (till I looked at label). I put it away to serve at end of meal, but I just can?t get into sweet Champagne. For me this is a C+. others might find it more useful.2018 Hubert Lamy ?Les Frionnes? Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Seriously lovely young white Burg, citrus accented with chalk, hazelnut, and apple blossom. Long finish with interesting but not overpowering oak notes. A-/B+
2016 Battenfeld-Spanier ?Frauenberg Grosses? Riesling Gewächs Taut, rich, not so long but good foil to the squid. B+/B1990 Querciabella Chianti Classico Riserva What a good showing for 31 year old CCR. Rounder than I expected, all juicy black and red plum, with light notes of saddle leather, earth, and floral notes. Delicious, though except for the leather it wasn?t super-Chianti-ish. B+
Roast black seabass, with salad and leftovers, and the 2010 Boulay ?Clos de Beaujeu? Sancerre. This was a surprise from cellar, thought I had finished, glad I hadn?t. Full, rich, balanced, nervy acidity, with citrus, chalk, and light herb notes. A pointe. A-
One definition of good friends is you can invite them for leftovers. I was solo, and looking at 2 racks of lamb as well as celery/chickpea salad and pasta. Threw together a burrata caprese and grilled corn, and invited a couple who I knew had a long day (first day of jazz camp).
2020 Bieler ?Sabine? Aix-en-Provence Rose Pale, strawberry and pine, light and easy. B-/B2005 Greysac Still a bit of tannin, blackcurrant and black plum tobacco. Not particularly exciting but a solid cheap CB that?s still drinking well at 16. 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 party where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.