Sunday I went to a small political/social gathering at a friend's home, and
carried along a bottle of 2001 L. Crochet €œLa Chêne€� Sancerre.
Medium-crisp with white fruit and grapefruit, also a light overlay of herbs.
Good finish, with a touch of flinty minerality. B+

They were serving from a magnum of the 2001 Beringer Founders Estate Cabernet
Sauvignon. Soft round red fruit with a hint of vanilla. Inoffensive, with no
real Cabernet character. Soulless, but technically flawless and probably
perfect for its market. B-/C+

Afterwards had to make a quick trip over the river, then came home and had
sausage and peppers over pasta. The 2002 Kaesler Stonehorse GSM was ripe,
round, oaky, with a load of red (raspberry and cherry) fruit. A little
earthiness, and a touch of coconut (?). Except for the coconut, might mistake
for a modern Rhone (CdP or better CdR) from a ripe vintage. Good deal at
$12.99. B/B+

Betsy had spent the week in NC doing some concerts, and finally made it in
Monday after a scary drive on icy roads Sunday night and oft-delayed/canceled
flights Monday. She still managed to cook a delicious dinner, a beef stew with
prunes and apricots accompanied by spinach. The 2001 Renjarde Côtes du Rhône
Villages was lush, a little too ripe for my tastes. Decent finish with some
grilled meat notes. B

Waiting for the snow last night, we had a dish of chicken legs in a cream sauce
with shiitakes and creminis, and the 2002 Paulinshof Riesling Halbtrocken Qba
(Mosel-Saar-Ruwer). Good crisp acidity, ripe apple fruit. But short finish
leaves one a little disappointed. Not bad QPR at $8ish, but not buying more.
B/B-

My usual disclaimer: I'm a pretty easy grader, basically A is a very good 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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