Ahh, dinner at home. Betsy greeted me last night with a plate of proscuitto and grana padona with dried fig, I opened the 2008 Kato Sauvignon Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough).. Gooseberry, a little herbs, this seems maybe a tad thin/overcropped. Ok for the $9 tag, but I'm not looking for more. . B-/C+
Actual meal was an old favorite, a stew/soup of cinnamon beef with spinach in a spicy broth. I opened the 2007 Rimbert "Les Travers de Marceau" Saint-Chinian. More acidity than most Southern French wines, cherries and red berries, herb and underbrush. Little hint of olive. Good length for the level. Tannins evident but smooth. Quite a nice wine. B+
Tonight I'm going to local group, but we had dinner first. Betsy made a quick bouillabaisse with fish, scallops, and clams. I tried to capture the Mediterranean coast feel by putting the 2008 Commanderie de la Bargemone Rose (Coteaux d'Aix) in a simple carafe/pichet (it was already needing to be cleaned, after I decanted my Barbaresco in it). Sweet strawberries, touch of herbs, little saline note- needs a little more verve to be a buy again, but a decent rose. B-
Off for Piedmont night with the Dobbs crew!
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.
