Monday I invited one of my helpers home for dinner, where I grilled
some wild sockeye and some summer veggies and served with a salad. I
opened the 2001 Benton Lane Pinot Noir (Oregon). Light and pretty
cherry fruit, but some toasty oak predominates. Not sure that this wine
would thrill anyone- not enough of a fruitbomb for some, too oaky for
others. I don't recall any geek I know who falls into the "delicate
fruit with a lumberyard overlay" preference category, but for gobless
oak this is your wine. Still, well-made, and ok with the salmon. B-/C+

Bob likes bigger reds,I could tell he wasn't really into the Pinot, so
I poured the 2001 Chasse-Spleen (Moulis). Bigger than the Benton Lane,
but rather quiet nose. Round and low-acid, dark fruit and surprisingly
short finish. I'll pass on getting more of these. B-

Tuesday was sirloin on the grill, with some peas and salad. In addition
to a glass of the Chasse-Spleen (a bit oxidized, not holding well) I
opened a 375 of the 2001 Freestone Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa).
Straightforwardly simple CalCab, some dark cassis/berry fruit and
vanilla/oak notes. There's some decent structure for a cheap Cabernet,
but less an ager than a "drink now with steak" type- so I did. B

But the winner over the last 3 nights was the 2004 Domaine de la
Pepiere "Clos de Briords VV" Muscadet . Opened Sunday, with a glass
Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (well, maybe 2 Tuesday) this is an exercise
in minerality. Actually, seashells by the seashore. No, lime and
limestone. Whatever- fresh, clean,minerally with great underlying
fruit. Delicious, though you can tell it's tight and taut. I remember
when I used to say with confidence "oh Muscadet, best to drink
immediately on release." Here's one to put away. A

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

DaleW wrote:

But the winner over the last 3 nights was the 2004 Domaine de la
Pepiere "Clos de Briords VV" Muscadet . Opened Sunday, with a glass
Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (well, maybe 2 Tuesday) this is an exercise
in minerality. Actually, seashells by the seashore. No, lime and
limestone. Whatever- fresh, clean,minerally with great underlying
fruit. Delicious, though you can tell it's tight and taut. I remember
when I used to say with confidence "oh Muscadet, best to drink
immediately on release." Here's one to put away. A

Damn, damn, damn! I've gotta find a way of getting LDM wines into IN:
the shipping charges from CSW are a killer...

Unhappily yours,
Mark Lipton