Some friends were supposed to go to New Orleans on a rescheduled trip- desp ite having confirmed several times they had seat assignments, when they wen t to check in online they were sent to customer service- turns out Traveloc ity had not collected change fee, and now if they wanted to fly they'd have to pay full last minute fare. Bummer, but it meant they were free for dinn er Fri. They brought the oysters, I did (purchased) crab cakes (with remoul ade) and Cajun catfish, green beans with tomato, and brown rice.
I was designated shucker, and we enjoyed the NV Sorelle Bronca Extra Dry Pr osecco while I worked. I'm not a big prosecco drinker (if not doing Champag ne I lean more to cava or Loire or Jura bubbles), but this I like. Extra Dr y, but that shows more as a fruit softness than as apparent sugar. Apple, l emon, stones, light petillance, nice length for the level. I like. B+/B
With the oysters, the 2012 Pepiere "Clos des Briords" Muscadet. Complex, ta ut, briney, long. Why didn't I buy more cases? A-/B+
With dinner, a variety of wines
2004 Lopez de Heredia "Gravonia" Rioja Citrus and tropical fruits, mineral, a little waxy note. Good length, brigh t acids, holds well overnight. B+2011 Rollin Haut-Cotes-de-Beaune I didn't like this as much as last time I tried it- not sure if me, the bot tle, or the spice in the fish. Clean and straightforward, but a little clip ped on finish with a faint but noticable metallic note. B-?
1998 Ch. de la Gardine Chateauneuf-du-Pape Fully mature but not fading, herbs, anise, red fruits, medium bodied, no he at (only 13.5% abv) B2011 Bart Fixin- horribly corked, get this away from me. NR
2010 Pied a Terre Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa) This was a gift, I have low expectations of unknown Napa Cabs, but this was quite pleasant. Medium bodied, sweet Cali fruit without being candied or goopy, red fruits, just a touch of vanilla. BSaturday we had some nice scallops from farmer's market, broiled with a pan ko/persillade topping. Sides were rice with marinated shiso, braised leeks, and salad. Wine was the 2011 Richard Leroy "Les Noëls de Montbenault" Ch enin , with a simple vin de France designation. I often find the Leroy wine s more interesting than tasty, but this one is definitely interesting AND t asty. Dry, pit fruits, lanolin, tangy acids. Betsy likes a lot, too, though as it gets she gets an unidentifiable chemical note on nose, but not on pa late (and I don't get at all, one of those genetic sensitivity things I gue ss). For me, B+/A-
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a p arty where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivi ty, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency