A few nights ago Betsy made a delicious duck dish- legs braised in pinot noir. I contributed a bottle that I had accidently stolen from Roger Lustig (erstwhile poster on this group) - the 2000 Colin-Deleger Bourgogne rouge. But I saved out a couple ounces. Pinot from a house better known for their whites. Fairly light bodied, cherry fruit with a nice mushroom edge. Not bad. B
With the actual meal my last bottle of 1997 Saintsbury Carneros Pinot Noir. Hint of toasty oak, flowers and spice. Balanced acidity and good red fruit. Nice PN at it's peak. This bottling is my favorite from Saintsbury the added complexity makes it well-worth the extra few bucks from the Garnet, and in lots of vintages it nips at the heels of the Reserve, which costs almost twice as much. B+
Last night Betsy was working. For my stepson and I, I threw some portabellos and some herbed/garlic pork chops on the grill, accompanied with a Boston lettuce /tomato salad and green beans with a soy/sesame sauce. Had the 1999 Produttori del Barbaresco Nebbiolo Langhe. Opens as thin and acidic. But some air times works wonders. Real Nebbiolo flavors of tar, red fruit, flowers. Helluva a deal at about $11. B+
Went today to Bethelehem PA to meet a rep from Tristate Basset Rescue, picked up a year-old Basset (found as a stray, they named Lucy Liu, we might keep the Lucy). Very frisky, very cute. Thought this was a bad night to be going out to shop (Betsy is playing tamboura in an Indian music concert). So I ordered pizza. A 1999 Isole e Olena CC was corked, only Sangiovese I had at home (cellar is elsewhere). So I opened a 1998 Muga Reserva Rioja. Lots of sweet oak, notes of tobacco and black plums. But mostly red fruit on palate, with moderate acidity. Ok with pizza. B
Grade disclaimer: I'm a pretty 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. Dale
Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply