Monday Betsy didn't have much time for prep, and picked up some kebabs (couple lamb, 1 chicken) and some beef/cheese "pinwheels" at local deli. Chicken cooked ok, lamb chunks were a bit irregular and too big so a little hard to get right. And don't get me started on the pinwheels- in oven maybe, but what a mess on the grill. The wine was the 2002 Sylvie Esmonin Côte de Nuits-Villages. Ripe raspberry fruit bordering on jammy, not showing a lot on the finish. Seemed more closed down than earlier bottle, maybe this is a stage, but not worth $15-20. B-
Tuesday I had a board meeting. 50% of my board are homeless or formerly homeless, and we try to serve them dinner before meeting. Joe, a homed board member volunteered to host, and we grilled steaks on his back porch. Nice meat, Betsy's potato salad, nice green salad, and some portabellos. There was soft drinks, tea, beer and red wine available, I purtook of a small glass of red, the 2003 Borsao. Indeed riper than the say '99-'02 Borsaos, but not over the top. Good red fruit, a bit of spice, ok balance. Would have preferred more acidic zip, but still a good $6 wine (I always prefer to the Tres Picos). B
After the meeting I saw off the guys from streets, then returned to try and help cleanup. But Joe, his wife Rachel, and Betsy had already done so. Joe suggested we return to the porch for a glass of wine, and we tried the 2001 Bleasdale Bremerview Shiraz. OK, this is a soft easy almost sweet Shiraz -not exactly my preferred style. But I found myself liking it. This is soft and easy, but not structureless -there's some acid and tannin. And the sweetness is a sweet fruit flavor, not outright RS. Oak is quite noticable, but I don't find obtrusive in this non-dinner setting. Nice finish. I'm not sure this is a great food wine, but for sitting on a porch on a warm summer night with friends, fits the bill. 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