With Betsy still in Japan and me too jetlagged to think about cooking, I mostly ate prepared foods from the local Italian grocery this week. I picked up some "pinwheels" of beef wrapped around pork loin chops and panfried them Tuesday, the wine being the 2001 La Fleur du Jaugue (St. Emilion) . Some oak- more obtrusive than I remembered- on top of red plum and berry fruit. A bit of cinnamon toward the end of bottle. Actually a bit boring. B-
The next night a shrimp appetizer followed by a sausage & pepper main course. I ended up opened 2 375s, a white Burg and a Bdx. The 2002 Domaine Jean-Noel Gagnard "Masures" Chassagne-Montrachet showed quite well, with some light spicy oak dancing around a core of ripe apple fruit and minerals. Nice nutty/honey almost-Meursault note on the long finish. B+/A-
The 2001 Ch. Bernadotte (Haut-Medoc) was a pleasant if rather light Bordeaux. Modest ripe dark fruit, a little vanilla and marjoram.B
With a chicken breast stuffed with broccoli and cheese, accompanied by broccoli rape, the 2002 Domaine Fougeray de Beauclair Bourgogne. Ripe Pinot fruit, with black cherry flavors and a mild earthiness. Easy to drink and ready, this isn't a Bourgogne-to-look-for like the Bachelet or Lafarge, but a decent QPR at $12. B
By Friday I was tired of my own company, and ready to cook. Invited some friends over and prepared a butterflied leg of lamb (garlic, rosemary). A small thunderstorn rolled in, so I sauteed my summer squash to save grill time. It was still raining as my guests arrived; as we waited I served smoked salmon on cukes with the 2001 J.M. Boillot "La Pucelle" Rully 1er Cru. Good richness and concentration for a Rully, but the oak was a bit much. By end of night it had integrated a bit, but this is just too oaky for me to really enjoy. B-/B
Rain continued in spurts, I thanked my switchover to gas, and went and started grill anyway. Grilled the lamb and some asparagus, served with the squash and some mushrooms my guests brought. With the lamb 2 reds:
2002 Domaine Vincent Girardin "Clos de la Confrerie" Santenay. This is a monopole (non-1er); a very modern-styled Burg. Lots of toasty oak, very ripe red fruit, light tannins. Probably better by itself than with food. B2001 Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico- sweet dark cherry fruit with a real acidic backbone, this is more like it. Time lets in some leather and tar notes. Both this and the Girardin are about $15, I know which one I'm getting more of. B+/A-
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