Sunday was a busy day, a morning speech, a few hours of dinner prep, then I drove Betsy's mom and her friend to Betsy's concert in Stamford. Incredibl e setting (Treetops, the former Libby Holman estate) for a great concert- Cassatt quartet and an excellent harpist (Ravel, Faure, Beethoven, and Pier ne). After concert I slipped out of reception to get going on dinner. Betsy brought back her mom and friend, and then we had 2 more couples join us. G reeting wine was the NV Lallier Rose Champagne, strawberries and melon, med ium-bodied, good. B/B+
I had marinated some shrimp, grilled those and served with the 2011 Cowan C ellars "Isa" Sauvignon Blanc. Full, earthy, honied (though totally dry), fl oral. Different and quite popular, even among those who had no idea what sk in-contact is. B+/A-
Main course was beef with a shawarma-ish seasoning, with a sesame-broccoli salad, corn, and a mesclun salad.
1998 Ch. Meyney A recent surprise cellar finding, this is midbodied, with some grainy tanni n remaining. Modest black plum fruit, some leather, a little green. Rather short, not very charming. B-/C+2011 Franck Balthazar Cotes du Rhone Red fruits, pepper and spice, lively, fun. B+
NV Shebang (Bedrock) Sixth Cuvee Screwcap, a kind of spritz, sweet red fruit, light, easy, kind of lighter C dR meets Zin style. B/B-
Monday we had Betsy's mom and friend again, with mixed mushroom pizza, gril led vegetables, and sorrel salad.
2013 Renegade Rose Candied, a little hot, not what I want in a pink. Time to open a backup C+2013 Umathum "Rosa" Bright pink, sweet fruit but not candied, fuller style, but nicely balanced . 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 pa rty where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivit y, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.