On Monday we went to friends' for a dinner of cool summer salads. I started with an unknown glass of white - slightly grassy, but mostly about tropical fruit with a gooseberry edge. I assumed a just ok Sauvignon Blanc, probably CA, but forget to check when we cleared table later (was trying to contain my geekiness).
With dinner (assorted salads, lemon chicken, baked beans) 2006 Montes Oton. A modern Spanish wine with an overdesigned label. Ripe black and blueberry jam fruit, a little hot, light but hard tannins. Not really showing oak, but sweet and alcoholic, not my style. C+/C
Tuesday I got home from a long day capped with a meeting about 9, I had eaten a little, but Betsy had saved me some soba and sushi from her dinner. I opened the 2006 Chidaine Touraine Chenin. Somehow I have the impression (but no evidence) this is a negoce wine. A bit off-dry (more a "sec-tendre" thing that actual sweetness), green apple and citrus, ok flavors but I find this a little thin and short. Not up to the standards of Chidaine's Montlouis or Vouvray bottlings, even allowing for the $10 tag. Not a buy again. B-/C+
Wednesday temps had dropped so we could again eat on patio; Betsy topped a lettuce and tomato (bah salmonella!) salad with a lemony pasta and grilled shrimp, with a side of white asparagus in brown butter. Wine was the 2006 Steininger "Grand Cru" Gruner Veltliner (Kamptal), My first Vino-Lok! I like the closure. I liked the wine, too. Bigger more muscular style of GV, big rich mouthfeel, only marred by a slight hint of heat. Rich peaches with a little hint of tropical fruits, a little slately minerality, hint of pepper. Good acidity, solid backbone. A little roundness hints of oak, but way in background. Probably could use some time. 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.