So Friday wasn't such a great day (started with a FedEx van running into me) but that afternoon I ran into my friend Roger. His wife and kids were due in from England, but flight was cancelled so he was alone. So I invited him to dinner, and called a couple other friends. Not much time to prep, so a simple dinner of mostly things I already had, plus we decided to drink a few wines:
With a caprese salad, the NV (disgorged 7/07) Chartogne-Taillet "Cuvee Ste Anne" Brut Champanne. Fairly full bodied, apple and a little cherry, good acidity, maybe a tad short. B
When I called Ron and Nancy, they had just come home from fishmonger with enough seabass for 2- or 4 as an appetizer. Topped with a tomatillo and corn salsa, I chose the 2008 Benaza Godello (Monterrei) as the wine. Hey, this made me pay attention. Classy and light, fresh and minerally with a saline edge to the finish, though it seems light on palate it actually has plenty of body for the food. Citrus, peach, long finish. Great buy ($13-15). B++
The rain had slowed long enough for me to start grilling (though then it started again), I did some sirloins with garlic and a pepper rub, corn, and squash, we also had a potato salad I had whipped up. Two reds to accompany
2001 Duclaux Cote Rotie Nice light to mid-bodied Syrah, bright red fruit framed with good acidity and light tannins. Some spice and smoke, good length, not a big Rhone but there is some backbone, can age a bit I'd say. But good with steak now, and a good buy at $25. B+
2007 Sandro Fay Rosso di Valtellina Red cherries, earth, and a bit of herb. Easy tannins, fresh, popular at the table. Not to be mistaken for Barolo, but nice wine. B
With a rather inferior cheese course (I didn't have much time, had to depend on what was in fridge or at supermarket), a half bottle of the
2005 Selaks "Premium Selection" Ice Wine (East Coast, NZ). Sweet, and that's about it. Ripe pears, apples, and a little honey note. Needs some acidic backbone. C+
Fun unplanned evening.
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.