Betsy had picked up both a couple dozen clams and some porterhouses for dinner. I grilled the clams and dressed with oil/garlic/lemon, which we had with the 2008 Fourrier* Bourgogne Blanc. Classic, crisp, clean Chardonnay. Great value. B+

Then I went back out to grill the steaks, which we had with Brussels sprouts, salad, and the 2003 Charles Joguet “Clos du Chêne Vert” Chinon. I'm not generally a big fan on 2003 anywhere in Europe, but I've had pretty good luck with red Loires, and my streak continues. Ripe full blackberry and cassis fruit, smoke, bark, and tobacco. Good acids (not just "good for '03"), fine tannins, nice length. Holds well overnight, delicious on Sat. Young, wish I had more of these. A-/B+

Afterwards, I headed for my little local group's December tasting, theme being "At least 50% Cabernet Sauvignon." I carried along the Fourrier, and shared with group. The other apertif was blind for me - mineral, dry, crisp acids, a slight waxy/wooly note. My guess was Chenin Blanc sec, but I was nowhere close. 2008 Guillemot-Michel* Macon-Villages Quintaine. B+/B

First blind red was thick, lowacid, fruity -black plums. I thought maybe Washington. Nope. Some others liked more than me. 2009 Ch. Blaignan (Medoc) (50% CS, 40% Merlot, 10% CF).* B-

Next was mine, which most guessed was older Bordeaux. Acids, resolved tannins, red fruits, mint, a bit of green pepper. Holds nicely through evening.* 1980 William Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (Mt Veeder, Napa). B

Next wine had cassis, bell pepper, and spice, I got Languedoc based on who brought it, not tasting skill. 2009 Les Traverses de Fontanes B

A bit overripe and jammy, I thought about CA but opted for 2003 Bordeaux. Some people's favorite. 2006 Stella Gray Cabernet Sauvignon B-/C+

Saturday we had pasta with clam sauce, artichokes with curry mayo, and the 2007 Francois Cotat "Les Monts Damnes" Sancerre. I liked this shortly after release, but this seems totally shut down (a bit of a surprise to me, as I think of these as drinking well through most of their life). Showed better on day 2, classical Cotat. Day 1 B-, day 2 B+

Sunday some friends dropped by as they were running errands in Westchester, we did a wine handoff and I opened the 2001 Zilliken Saarburger Rausch Kabinett. Surprisingly soft for 2001, some lime and apple, hint of petrol, but a tad disappointing. B-

We went to a belated St Nicholas day party thrown by a German friend (mulled wine and stollen outside), then went home for flounder, B-sprouts, and the 2009 Bize "Perrieres" Bourgogne. Good acids, clean fruit, nice length, very very good for level. B+

Monday we invited a friend whose wife was escorting son on a college visit for dinner. White anchovy canapes, roast chicken, roast root vegetables, and watercress salad.

2010 Cowan Cellar "Isa" (Lake County)
Skin-fermented Sauvignon Blanc. Double decanted, served at room temp, and observed over several hours. Interesting, would never peg this for SB blind. Pineapple and mango juice, bitter herbs, some tannins on finish. This is quite different but made friends with everyone (especially Betsy). Food friendly, did ok with both white anchovies and chicken. With a bit of time the fruity notes faded leaving a more mineral profile. Fun wine, glad to have more. B+


2009 Jean Foillard "Cuvee Corcelette" Morgon
Black cherries, very floral, ripe but balanced. Nice with the chicken. B+/B

2007 Camus-Bruchon Bourgogne
I had quite liked this before, but this bottle seemed shutdown hard (not what I'd expect from a 2007 base Bourgogne). Some swirling and time pryed out some red fruit, but basically this is just showing acid and little else. C+/C


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.