Wednesday was our weekly trip to the riverside concerts (a vocalist friend and
a jazz drummer friend were both playing); we decided to bring the basset for
the first time. Lucy was generally well-behaved (she was entranced by her
friend Andrea singing "Over the Rainbow", though she did bark once during the
jazz quartet set); friends however took turns walking with her or sitting with
her on a blanket safely separated from the cheeses, sausages, pates, salads,
and leftover squab. Despite that, she managed to drink some of Betsy's wine (a
first for her); she seemed to quite like the NV Renardat-Fâche Vin du Bugey
Cerdon (Demi-sec Pétillant). Others had mixed reactions. I think some are so
wrapped up in the idea all good wines are dry they couldn't let themselves go
-sweet and bubbly was just too strange for them. But I liked this
geek-cult-wine, like a dish of sweet ripe wild strawberies, lightened by the
gentle bubbles. A distinct earthy note to it, and seemingly sweeter than
previous bottles (maybe it was a tad warmer, lessening the acidic balance?).
Good stuff, even if only for Betsy and myself (and Lucy). B++

Some other decent bottles were floating around- leftover Drouhin Chassagne
rouge, the dependable Cairnbrae SB, etc. The only one new to me was the 2003
Commandorie de la Bargemone Rosé( didn't note appelation, but think based on
previous vintages it's Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence). Fuller flavors than the 2002
version, but not as overblown as some 2003 southern French rosés, some nice
cherry fruit, ok acidity. Light and easy rosé . B/B-

Thursday evening we grilled some bison burgers, served along with corn, green
beans, and some toppings (tomatoes, onions, avocado). The wine was the 1997
Burgess Cabernet Sauvignon( Napa). Fairly full-bodied, chocolatey, ripe, round.
Not the style of wine I tend to seek out, but a decent example, and not a bad
match for burgers. Only real drawback was the blackberry/blueberry sweet
profile, never a favorite of mine. I'll give it credit for a fairly long
finish, and a pleasantly aromatic mint meets mocha nose that emerges out of the
initially tight wine. If this retailed for under-$20, I might seek out more as
a crowd-pleasing burger/steak grilling wine, but a quick look at winesearcher
shows it at $38. Pass. 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.
Dale

Dale Williams
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