Vacation, part 1: Betsy had flown out week before, spent week at a Sufi music camp in Mendocino. She picked me up at Oakland airport, and we drove to Squaw Valley near Tahoe. Dinner with her parents that night in the Plumpjack main restaurant (they also have a cafe and deli there). Our appetizers were quite good (softshell crab with mango slaw for me, diver scallops for her.). A 375 of the 2002 Vacheron Sancerre was quite good- noticable grassiness, vibrant grapefruit and gooseberry (with a hint of something else, my notes says "quince?") fruit, slate/mineral finish. Ripe yet with good acidity. B+/A- The list was actually quite Calicentric, and I ordered a 2000 Martinelli Bondi Ranch WaterTrough Pinot Noir. Big ripe Pinot, a bit hot, a bit oaky. Not really my style, though an acidic backbone keeps it from being flabby. Decent match with my (pretty good) rabbit pappardelle , overwhelms Betsy's (overcooked) halibut with mushrooms. A B from me, might garner higher score from someone who appreciates the style more- clearly a well-made wine.
The following day a family wedding in Tahoe City. Beautiful spot, right by the lake. Very nice ceremony (Betsy's aunt who has been in rabbinical training did an excellent job with her first wedding), despite some sound glitches. Dinner was pretty good for catered under a tent- beef, fish, pinenut risotto, grilled veggies. Before dinner I had some 2000 Beaulieu Vineyards Sonoma Chardonnay. Quite woody, though enough crispness to compensate. Tropical and apple fruit, toasty oak, ok. B/B+ With dinner, the 1998 Beaulieu Vineyards Tapestry. I saw this and thought "uh-oh". My guess was (and is) that someone sold this to the non-vinocentric hosts as a "phenomenal deal", without mentioning the TCA issues. Trepidation as I have the first glass. Hmm, no must here. Medium-bodied, somewhat muted fruit, still some lingering tannins. Is it closed, or is TCA just under my threshold. Glass #2- hey, this is more like it. Medium-bodied, but some distinct dark berry fruit, overlaid with some spice and cedar. Next glass follows suit. Let's have glass #4. Ack! There it is. Distinct corked nose. I dump, but before I have to make a decision whether to go for #5 or return to chard, we decide to call it a night. I'd give glass #1 a B-/C+, and #2 a B++. This was a big party (140 guests), don't know how many cases they went through. But if ratio is 1/4 so-so, 1/2 good, 1/4 undrinkable, I don't think I'd buy!
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.
Dale
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