Wednesday evening was leftovers, accompanied by the 2001 Delas "Les Launes"
Crozes-Hermitage. Dark fruit, a hint of meat, but short finish and a little
simple. Some tannins apparent, it might get better, but I'm not going to try.
B/B-

Thursday a former student of Betsy's came ot dinner. During cooking and through
first course (chicken and napa cabbage soup), the 2002 Verget "Le Clos"
Mâcon-Bussieres. I can't really get a grip on this negociant- I liked a simple
Bourgogne-Chitry, but was underwhelmed by some Chablis and a Meursault. This
does show a little oak, but good (if almost overripe) white fruit and some
limestone minerality. Not a bad deal at $10-11, though it doesn't show
especially Mâconnais-ish. B/B+

Main course was fresh rice noodles in a cinnamon-beef stirfry, not exactly the
most wine-friendly dish. So went with an inexpensive red (our guest is a
red-drinker), the 2002 Iché "Les Hérétiques" Vin de Pays de l'Hérault.
Blackberry *fruit with earth and grilled meat notes, quite the deal at $7. B+

Friday Betsy went to a friend's home and did some cooking, at 7 I walked over
there. As we chatted in kitchen I had a glass of 2002 Giesen Sauvignon Blanc (
Marlborough). Clear NZ SB fruit (gooseberry and citrus), lingering finish, nice
wine. B/B+

Dinner was a pork roast, wrapped in pancetta with garlic and sage (I had
thought Betsy was using rosemary, but she switched plan), accompanied by
Rachel's winter greens. I had brought the 2001 Lafarge Bourgogne. Clear cherry
fruit (ok, maybe blurred slightly by a raspberry note), a distinct earthy
aroma, good finish. Great pure pinot flavors. A-/B+ I confess I was only one
really enamored of this, Joe and Rachel tend to like bigger riper reds. Their
fave of evening was the 2001 Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel. Big ripe zin-berry
fruit, some vanilla. A little much for me (and for the food, imho). B
There was also a bottle of the Colombo "Les Abeilles" Côtes du Rhône. Pleasant
simple quaffer that is very typical CdR (with all that implies, good and bad).
B-
Good night with good friends.

Saturday Betsy made a recipe she calls "Chinese Chicken" - stewed chicken is
pulled off the bone, topped with lots of scallions, a sauce using soy sauce and
sesame oil, then platter gets hot peanut oil over whole thing. This recipe has
a sentimental place in our history, and is always accompanied by
Gewürztraminer. This time it was the 2002 Pierre Frick "Rot Murlé"
Gewurztraminer (Alsace). A biodynamique wine, complete with Demeter seal. And
topped with a ...crown cap. Lush flowery nose, loads of lychee fruit with notes
of spice and gingerbread. Very very good. A-/B+
(by only complaint with the crown cap is then I have to find a cork for the
leftovers).

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.
Dale

Dale Williams
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"Dale Williams" wrote in message
...
[snip]
Friday Betsy went to a friend's home and did some cooking, at 7 I walked
over
there. As we chatted in kitchen I had a glass of 2002 Giesen Sauvignon
Blanc (
Marlborough). Clear NZ SB fruit (gooseberry and citrus), lingering finish,
nice
wine. B/B+

This wine is a consistent winner, IMHO. I served it at my daughter's
wedding reception last year and had friends come up to me with comments like
"what is this?! It's wonderful!"

Regards,
Dean

On 01 Feb 2004 19:51:08 GMT, amnspam (Dale Williams) said:

] Wednesday evening was leftovers, accompanied by the 2001 Delas "Les Laune=
s"
] Crozes-Hermitage. Dark fruit, a hint of meat, but short finish and a litt=
le
] simple. Some tannins apparent, it might get better, but I'm not going to =
try.
] B/B-
]=20
[]

Hi Dale,

This sounds very like a '01 Delas "Les Chambeys" St Joseph I had a few days
ago. Except I'd qualify it as "very simple" and some typical tar and leath=
er.
A disappointing wine, which the fellow who gave it to me touted highly.

I'll take the opportunity to mention a fabulous bottle that accompanied=20
chicken livers with shallots and pommeau this past saturday: '90 Clos des=
=20
Cazaux "Cuv=E9e des Tempiers" Vacqueyras. Perfectly resolved tannins,
nose of dark fruit, cherry pits, smoke, spice. Very long, tar, stone, spice
and a little game overtones with beautifully structured bramble and
dark fruit in the mouth, layer after layer. Incredibly elegant for the app=
ellation,=20
I can't recall a more elegant Vacqueyras. IIRC this one is 50% syrah.

-E

--=20
Emery Davis
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In article , Emery Davis
writes:

This sounds very like a '01 Delas "Les Chambeys" St Joseph I had a few days
ago. Except I'd qualify it as "very simple" and some typical tar and leather.
A disappointing wine, which the fellow who gave it to me touted highly.

Hi Emery:

OK, let's take a poll. Has anyone EVER had a bottle from Delas Frères that was
really exciting? They've ranged from dull to mediocre to ok in my experience
(which has encompassed the Hermitage, the Côte-Rôtie, etc, though only couple
examples of each). I tried this one because someone had touted as "better than
Thalabert at 1/2 the price" . No way. To me Graillot stands out as a Crozes
producer (with the Jaboulet Thalabert the one to age, I think the Graillot is
better short-term).

I'll take the opportunity to mention a fabulous bottle that accompanied=20
chicken livers with shallots and pommeau this past saturday: '90 Clos des=
=20
Cazaux "Cuv=E9e des Tempiers" Vacqueyras. Perfectly resolved tannins,
nose of dark fruit, cherry pits, smoke, spice. Very long, tar, stone, spice
and a little game overtones with beautifully structured bramble and
dark fruit in the mouth, layer after layer. Incredibly elegant for the app=
ellation,=20
I can't recall a more elegant Vacqueyras. IIRC this one is 50% syrah.

Sounds good. Winesearcher only shows 1999, 2000, & 2001 in states, I might try
a couple of these based on your rec of the 1990. Thanks,

Dale

Dale

Dale Williams
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