Christmas Eve is a big worknight for me, my non-profit has a big event, but one has to eat first. So we went with some friends to a local Thai place. Some other wines might have worked better with the food, but the one I wanted to try was the 1999 Jean Paul Droin "Les Vaillons" 1er Cru Chablis. Medium acidity, apple fruit with a squirt of lemon, chalk and flint. Good finish. B+
After a fun (but tiring) expedition on Christmas Eve, I returned home at 2:45 AM to get ready to leave at 3:30 for Atlanta. A few minor adventures later, we were at my parents' new home. I got in a quick nap, then sat down to a big family dinner. Now, my Dad decided to start drinking a glass of red a day after the "french Paradox" stuff came out. Unfortunately, the wine he has decided is favorite is Taylor Lake Country Red. He always has other stuff for us, but not usually my favorites. As I was bringing down wine as a gift for my brother, I tucked in an extra inexpensive bottle. We were having an assortment of (mostly Southern) foods : ham, turkey, dressing, squash casserole, asparagus casserole (my mom is of the casserole generation), turnips, green beans, lima beans, green salad, etc. Needed a food-friendly wine, so I brought the 2002 Clos de la Roilette Fleurie. Nose of flowers and red fruit, palate of bitter cherry. I like a lot, but the acidity and tart fruit make it not a crowd-pleaser. But still gets a B+ from me.
Next night we end up at the Village Tavern, a local steakhouse. Betsy's ribeye is tasty, but my strip steak is close to tasteless. But I wash it down with the 2001 Foppiano Petite Sirah. Tannic, but that is ok with the steak. Dark berry fruit, some earth, a little cedar/coffee. Nothing to write home about, but ok for $30 on a wine list. B
Next night we are going to my brother's home, to eat some fish he hooked on a recent trip to Alaska (king and coho salmon, halibut). I offer to stop and pick up some pinot noir for the salmon, Doug says "we have plenty of reds". When I get there I discover he does, but almost exclusively Bdx varietals. But I choose a 1998 Frescobaldi Fili di Seta. Bad choice. Not a horrible wine, but a fairly big, oaky, tannic Supertuscan. Black cherry and cassis, lots of vanilla. Too bad, I like other Frescobaldi wines (I think I gave this to Doug). A B- with food, though tasting as night wore on suggests a B to me.
Sunday night my mom made fried chicken. Why would someone who can cook like this spend so much time on casseroles? Great meall, and well-accompanied by the leftover Fleurie. So airtime has really given this a chance to shine. Luckily, I have all to myself, as others decided they didn't like in Xmas and pass in favor of other wines.
Interspersed over weekend were some truly awful Vendange, Meridian, and Fetzer Chards. Luckily, I have put them out on my mind. This AM got up at 3:30, went to Atlanta airport. Said goodbye to Betsy and David as they flew to Betsy's grandmother's in Southern CA , flew home. Retreived the basset from kennel, worked, then came home to start a scientific examination of wines brought to our party pre-Christmas. First to be uncorked was the 2000 Brusco dei Barbi (Tuscany). Indeterminate Tuscan blend, though some cherry fruit and good acidity make me guess there's Sangiovese in there. Flowers, black cherries, leather, cedar. Sounds good so far, but the whole is less than the parts. And the finish is clipped. Ok if a $10 wine, this kinda sucks if $30. B
More host gift tastings to come this week. Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre at best. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Dale
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