Monday I made chana dal, bhindi masala , corn, salad, & tofu bhurji; wine was the 1994 Dr. F. Weins-Prum “Wehlener Sonnenuhr” Riesling Spatlese. By modern standards Kabinett level sweetness, nice lifting acids, pit fruits, tea leaves, and a slight hint of petrol. Very nice if not super-complex mature Riesling. B+
Tuesday she made pasta with squid, scallops, and zucchini, cooking/drinking wine was the
2012 Pepiere Muscadet. Just a great great value, citrus fruit and zest, briney, lively and long. B++
Friends came over last night, we snacked on smoked salmon with the NV Berlucchi “Cuvee 61” Brut. Cellartracker has this listed as Franciacorta, but I see not indication of that on bottle (or presentation case). Apple pie, bread dough, green apple. Mousse is a bit coarse. B-
Betsy had made chicken thighs with shallots and cherry tomatoes, along with some sauteed chard from the garden; I did a kohlrabi/pear slaw.
2012 Cowan Ribolla Gialla
Full, rich, floral, nice. B
2012 Rotie Cellars Marsanne
I am not generally the biggest fan of white Rhone varieties, but I really liked this- my WOTN. A slight oiliness revealed it’s Rhonishness, but there’s vibrant acids and a nice length. Honeydew, lemon peel, minerals. Very interesting and I’ll buy this. B+/A-
2003 Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Roasted red fruits, herbs, seems a little hot (though 14.5 isn’t so high for CdP) and finish seems disjointed. Others like MUCH more. C+
2000 de Carles (Fronsac)
Tannins resolved, fruit still present, black plum with leather and tobacco, not very long, it’s pleasant but not long for this world. B-
Fun night
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 party where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.
