I love spring. Dinner on patio, the goldfinches at the feeder, lilacs
in bloom (actually something new in bloom every day). And of course
rosé season.

With salmon steamed with chard and sauteed onions, brown rice and a
bottle of the 2007 Bieler Pere et Fils "Sabine" Coteaux d'Aix-en-
Provence rosé. Not really an auspicious start to pink season- nice
strawberry flavors, but could use a little more acidic backbone,and
more concentration. This was light bordering on dilute, and would
probably have been better ice-cold as an apertif on a hot day than
with food. About $9, so not too disappointed, but won't go looking for
more (have one more). B-/C+

With chicken in a morel/shiitake sauce, snap peas in sesame, red
cabbage, and rice, the 1995 Saintsbury Reserve Pinot Noir (Carneros).
I started off as a Bdx/Cab guy, and didn't really get interested in
Pinot Noir/Burgundy until 10 or 12 years ago. This was one of my
favorite California PNs, but I drank all early. I mentioned this to my
friend Marc when he served me an amazingly youthful '94. Then last
fall he gave me the '94/'95/96 for my birthday- what a guy! The '95 is
nice, though more mature than the '94. I'd say it just crested the
hill and is beginning to roll down. Dark cherry with a hint of
maraschino cherries, a bit of spice, still a little hint of toasty
oak. Smooth, nice texture, balanced acidity. Fades a bit after a
while, but nice wine (think the '94 is a step better). 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.
*