With roast chicken, the 2014 Thivin Cote de Brouilly. Bright, light style w ith nicely tart raspberry & cranberry fruit. Straightforward, tasty and fun . B/B+
Friday some littleneck clams , drinking/cooking wine was the 2014 Fresche A njou (blanc). Fairly dry, light hints of Chenin wooliness, apple fruit. B
Then I went over to Roger’s where our local group was to try Riojas . Illness and family emergencies cut out group of 7 to 3. But the three of us had a good time (and enjoyed Roger’s nice spread of charcuterie, cheeses, etc
2003 Lopez de Heredia “Gravonia” Rioja blanco Nutty edge (almond), pears with a little coconut, citrus zest, fuller style , good length. B+/A_2010 Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva American oak signature- dill and a little coconut. High acid, raspberry fru it, spicy. B/B+
2010 Muga Unfiltered Rioja Reserva (is there a Muga Reserva that is filtered?) Largest scaled, a bit glossy, b ig black cherry fruit, some vanilla. B-2001 Covila “II” Rioja Reserva Fully mature, oak not as prominent, soft cherry fruit, pleasant. B/B-
Saturday was tuna steaks with the 1998 Ch. Vieux Fortin. Midbodied (on ligh ter side for a '98 RB), black plum and black currant, some cedar. Tannins m ostly resolved, easy drinking St Emilion. B (about half the bottle was left, tried again Sunday night, totally cracked up, went into vinegar crock. Decent wine, but not very typical for ? ?98 RB)
Sunday night the hound joined Betsy and I hiking over the hill to some frie nds’ home for dinner.
Smoked clams and oysters, caponata NV Evohe "X" Cava Brut Nature This says Brut Nature, but I would have thought a fairly aggressive dosage. Sweet apple, lemon pith, a tad coarse and rather short. B-/C+
Dinner was rotisserie chicken (very good, I need to get a rotisserie attach ment for my grill). sweet potato “Fries”, green beans, sala d
2003 Pesquier Gigondas A bit raisiny, some ‘03 stewiness, still some tannin. C+1997 Montiano Red plum, ashtray, a little volatile, rather short. Past its prime. B-/C+
2012 Boxler Sylvaner Gingered peaches, dry but with ripe fruit, good acids, nice length, I like more than the reds. B+/A-Tonight roasted vegetable bibimbap, but no wine/
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.