Over several days the 2010 Duffour (Cotes de Gascogne) was used as an apertif and cooking wine. Grassy and sassy. I'd assume some SB in the mix. Light, crisp, simple but good warm weather wine. B/B-
Sunday I made ratatouille before going off to speak to a youth group, Betsy returned from matinee and made salad, by time I returned she had radish leaf pesto bruschetta ready, and we had dinner and the 2010 Barou Marsanne. Oily, a bit soft, didn't really do it for me, but probably less the wine's fault than I just am wrong person for Rhone whites. B-/C+
Tuesday was flounder in panko, haiga rice with furikake, and baby bok choy salad. Wine was a recent auction buy, the 1989 Zind-Humbrecht "Turckheim" Riesling. I think this was first year Olivier was fully in charge. Good news is (a) the wine is intact and rather youthful and (b) it's not a sweet blowsy wine. Dry, ginger and lots of petrol. Solid enough wine but I can't help to compare to the home runs that are the '89 Trimbach CFE and CFE VT. But nice mature Alsace Riesling. B
Wednesday Betsy made turkey meatballs and used leftover ratatouille as a sauce base, then broccoli and the 2009 Felsina Chianti Classico filled out the meal. Tight, a bit dense, and a bit tannic when opened, I wasn't really enjoying this. But about 2 hours of air seemed to help a lot, black cherry fruit with earth and a slight mocha note. Full fruit with time, good acidic balance, I enjoyed a lot at end. B+
Thursday skipped wine, but a friend was soloing this weekend while his wife is in CA, so we invited him to dinner Friday. After I (slowly) shucked a dozen lovely Bluepoints, we enjoyed with the 2009 Pepiere "Granite de Clisson" Muscadet. Full, rich, but truly vibrant acids and a seashell/saline minerality. This is like Raveneau Blanchots meets Briords. Me likes. A-
Main course was duck breast served over green beans and arugula, with mashed potatoes on side, and 2 reds:
1999 Maurice Ecard "Les Jarrons" Savigny-les-Beaune 1er This is a vineyard I'm not familiar with, though I'm a fan of pre-2005 Ecard. Pretty much not a fan at first- high/disjointed acids, a cranberry/pomegranite edge to the fruit that seems tart and sour. Again, time works some magic, blacker fruits emerging, some dirt and forest floor notes, the acidity seemingly more integrated. C+ to start, B+ with cleanup.2008 Breton "Les Galichets" Bourgueil This on the other hand drank well from moment opened. Blackcurrant with herb and discrete green pepper, lively acids, light tannins, good length. 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.