Wednesday Betsy made a “1 hour” bouillabaisse , I opened the 2005 F & D Clair” Les Murgers des Dents de Chien” St Aubin 1er. Last one I had opened seemed advanced, but this was in a very good place. Rich white fruit, floral nose, a touch of hazelnut. Full and somewhat round, but enough acidity to keep it focused if not nervy. Very nice length. B+
Thursday Betsy made a bolognese sauce as she got ready to go to NH for a concert, I loaded her gear up, went to New Rochelle for a speech, and returned for pasta and a half bottle of the 2010 Seghesio Zinfandel (Sonoma County). Berries, a little spice, warm, pleasant enough. B/B-
Friday it was just me, some salmon, leftover vegetables, and the 2002 Mugnier Chambolle-Musigny. A bit reticent, by dinner time (maybe an hour of air) if was showing quite well, and held on through the night. Smooth red fruits, earth, rose petals. Good acids (just this side of tangy), delicate mouthfeel, really enjoyable. Didn’t hold up well overnight, but I thought quite nice for several hours. B+/A-
Saturday Salil dropped by for some wine trades, I threw some sausages and corn on the grill, and sauteed some green beans in duck fat. We sampled a couple of wines:
2011 Baudry Chinon Rose-lovely, leafy, lithe. B+
1994 Emrich-Schonleber Monziger Halenberg Auslese- I had liked an earlier bottle of this, but this one seems somewhat flat and advanced. Some decent acids under a fair amount of RS, tropical fruit and honey, but just lacks verve. C+
Last night I continued the clean out the fridge theme, more leftovers, with the spaghetti bolognese in the lead. Opened the 1999 Falesco Montiano. Initially spirity and a bit harsh, air helps a lot. Plummy, rich, still a tinge of heat but not the onslaught at opening, still I had hoped for more complexity. 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.