Last night we went to some friends' home for what was billed as "first annual" dinner and discussion of the winner of the Man Booker prize. As this year's winner ("White Tiger" by Aravind Adiga) is set in India, everyone brought Indianesque food (Madhur Jaffrey's chicken with lemon and onions for Betsy). Nice conversation, good food, and some wines:
2006 Monte Degli Angeli Pinot Noir (Monferrato)
OK, I think I liked this better than once previously, but still doesn't ring my bells. Sweet light cherry fruit, a little hint of vanilla extract, quite short on finish. C+/B-
2007 Donnhoff Riesling (Nahe)
This was a great counterpart to the great variety of flavors. Lovely balance, bright acids, sweetness is there but doesn't stick out at all. Citrus and pit fruits, rain on rocks, light and lovely. B++
2007 Ch. d'Oupia Minervois
Black berry and plum fruit, supple tannins, enough acidity, decent length. Not as good a match as the Riesling, but a nice wine and a good value at $11. A bit more structured than its VdP cousin Les Heretiques. B/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.
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