Betsy made a quick bouillabaisse, I went quirky with the 2010 Foreau Vouvray Sec. Iinitially gave me that "is it corked?" Chenin headfake, but quickly proved clean. Citrus and tonic water, good acids, a bit stern, good wine but not as appealing as the Huet secs to me. B/B+


Friday we went to a small dinner party locally. Our Franco-Belgian hosts greeted us with radishes (with butter and salt) and the 2000 Ellner “Cuvee Prestige” Champagne. Bigger/fuller/yeasty style of bubbly, I generally prefer a crisper/lighter style as an apertif, but this is quite good. B+/B

First course was salad with smoked magret breast, Marc served the 2001 Ch. Gloria. This is showing very well indeed, cassis overlaid with tobacco, cedar, and earth. Medium bodied, silky texture, enough tannin that I’m in no hurry on my bottles. B+/A-

Main course was duck confit, with a pair of gratins- potato/parsnip/celeriac, and a squash gratin.
1991 Jadot “Clos des Couchereaux” Beaune 1er

Clean, bright black cherry fruit with a hint of herb, this got a bit volatile as night went on. Not bad, but I should drink other bottle soon. B

2005 Farina Barolo
Lighter styled, some tannins, red fruits with a little vanilla and violet. A bit clunky and short on finish. B-/C+

We finished with a cheese plate, marzipan, and an almond cake

Saturday I made butter poached lobster, stirfried Shanghai cabbage, and green beans in duck fat. Wine was the 2008 Vincent and Sophie Morey “Les Charmois” St Aubin 1er. Crisp, minerally, just a hint of oak, good length, firm. With air a hint of butterscotch. Very good, I’d age except who knows these days. B+/A-

Sunday Betsy had an all day seminar while I spoke at a mass and then led a meeting, with no time to cook I picked up Indian food- mysore dosas (thicker crepes than regular paper dosa), chicken saag, matar paneer, garlic naan, samosas. Wine was the 2009 Zilliken ‘Saarburger Rausch” Riesling Kabinett. Creamy and a bit tropical, not showing alot, I remembered this as having good acids for 2009, but this seems to be in hibernation. B- for now, expect to get better.

Monday also had little shopping/cooking time, theme was “Tuscany, Tokyo, and Tamil Nadu”, with takeout eggplant rollatini, hiyayakko, sauteed arugula, sambar, and matar paneer. Wine was the 1994 Montevertine “Il Sodaccio” . This is quite mature and probably on downslope, but still very enjoyable. There is some black cherry fruit, but it’s mostly saddle leather, brush, and earth. Good acids, resolved tannins, this still gets a B/B+ from me, but wish I had drunk maybe 3-5 years ago.

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.