Friday we had some friends coming for dinner, at 5 we got a call that Dana was sick. Jim was still willing, and we recruited Nancy for empty seat. Betsy made chicken schnitzel (served on a herb salad with a lemon/anchovy sauce), while I did the stirring on her mushroom risotto. She also did some berry compotes in pastry for 3 (and made pastries filled with mimolette and comte for me!).
The cooking wine was the 2007 Goose Bay Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
Gooseberry, grapefruit, a little pepper edge. I thought a bit short, and could have used a little more acidic zip. B-/C+
The wine I chose for the schnitzel was the 2007 Drouhin St Veran. I've posted plenty of notes on this, a great value in clean straightforward Macon. Good Chardonnay pear fruit, crisp acids, earthy/mineral notes, good length. B+
For the mushroom risotto, the 2006 Marechal "Cuvee Gravel" Bourgogne. Black raspberry fruit, a light herbal edge, some tannins, bright acids. Good presence and length for a Bourgogne AC, nice midweight Pinot. Drinking well but no hurry. B+
Jim is a fan of bigger reds, especially Rhone, so I also opened the 2005 (I think) Garretson "The Graosta" Mourvedre (Paso Robles), a recent gift from my SOBER friend Tim. This isn't the hulking monster I expected, it's quite ripe, but the tannins are smooth and it's more midweight than heavyweight. Dark fruits, tar, a hint of rubber. Gets redder fruits with time. Probably could use a little more time, but I enjoy. B for now.
Nice way to spend a rainy night, with a menu that was a transition from summer to fall.
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.
