With assorted leftovers Thursday, the 2001 Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva. I
had actually quite liked the 2000, and expected to like the 2001 more. Nothing
really wrong here- clean dried cherry and raspberry fruit, light tannins, no
overt oakiness; yet despite no obvious flaws the "package" left me a little
bored. B

Betsy has been fighting a cold for 3 weeks, and Friday went to the doctor, who
prescribed antibiotics for bronchitis. A good excuse to skip a party we didn't
want to go to anyhow, and stay at home for New Year's Eve. Betsy insisted on
cooking a dinner for two, making the lobster newburgh recipe from the new
Gourmet cookbook. Lobster makes me think of white Burgundy or California
Chardonnay, though I though the creamy sauce might do better with a crisper
Chard along the lines of a 1er or Grand Cru Chablis. But I went with the Cote
d'Or, choosing the 2001 Henri Boillot Meursault. While the Meursault had a
mouthfilling texture, there was enough acidic spine to balance the richness of
the sauce. Honied pear fruit with distinct hazelnut and earth notes, good
length and balance. I find that village level Meursault can often be
disappointing, but this was quite the pleasant wine. A-

Betsy dozed after dinner, waking up for a little "picnic" of boar terrine and
cheeses just before midnight. I opened the NV Piper-Heidsieck Champagne for a
toast. I frankly found this a bit disappointing. I've generally liked the Piper
(in its typical lighter style), but this seemed too soft and unfocused. Nice
mousse, a bit of bisuity yeast on the green apple nose, but without a "center".
Unsure if this is a batch issue, a storage issue (bottle was a gift), or a "my
tastebuds took a holiday" issue. B- for this bottle.

New Year's Day Betsy was feeling better, and we decided to go to a party. I
carried along cheese (a so-so Camembert, delicious Cow Girl Creamery Point
Pierce and Westfield Hubbardston Blue Cow) and an assortment of wine for a
non-geek crowd. As there was 2/3s of both the Meursault and Champagne, and 1/2
the CCR, I carried them over (hosts aren't shocked by my bringing open
bottles). Quick tastes confirmed previous opinions, the crowd liked them all. I
also brought:

2002 Christian Moreau Chablis- classic clean unoaked Chardonnay, I might like
even more than the Brun Beaujolais. Zippy acidity underlying good apple fruit,
nice chalky finish. Great QPR at $12. B+

2000 Ch. Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley). Rich CS for the
price, ripe black plum and blueberry fruit, fair amount of vanilla-ey oak. Good
qpr for the style. B

Other wines at the table:
2003 Basa Rueda
Our hostess' favorite wine (the only wine she's ever bought by case), and with
good reason. Zippy acidity, clean rich tropical fruit, nice clean finish. B/B+

1997 Bader-Mimeur Chassagne-Montrachet rouge
Let's see- producer I've never heard of, so-so vintage, and an appelation not
really known for its reds. I lower my expectations, but not enough. Oaky, thin,
and ugly. Not knowing who brought this, I hold it (sniffing in vain
occasionally for improvement or something of interest) as I'm trapped in
conversation until I can quietly escape to the kitchen sink. This is a poster
child for the Burgophobes. C-

2001 Clos du Bois Merlot
This is a typical US low/mid range Merlot , soft, easy,and oaky. Actually a bit
dilute, but after the bad Burg a relief none the less. B-/C+

2002 Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon
A bit more structure here. Good red fruit (I'd have guessed Merlot blind), more
integrated oak, not bad for a $13 red. 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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