Betsy announced dinner was "wine killer special" , with a very lemony
pasta with spinach and mushrooms accompanied by Franey's asparagus
vinaigrette. Aha, time to push the trusty "NZ SB" button. I had bought
the
2004 Fauna Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) partially based on name- I
assume (with picture of bird) that the name is a little dig at the
trend towards animal-named wines. A functional if unexciting SB-
gooseberry fruit with just a hint of grapefruit and jalapeno. Maybe a
tad short. Still, this was $8 before discount (looking at it another
way, it was free as I used it as a case filler to get bigger discount
on more expensive stuff), so probably worth the price. B-

Betsy made a nice if mild chili from the Fearrington House cookbook.
There was a Zin on the counter, so we opened it. The 2004 Seghesio
Zinfandel (Sonoma) was a pretty nicely balanced Zin- raspberry and
blackberry fruit, some sweet oak vanilla milkshake (not a lot, an
accent not a principal), nice finish. Nice Zin if not earthshattering.
B

With coffee-rubbed steak (it ws amazingly warm for Nov today, we HAD
to grill) and baked potatoes, a 375 of the1986 Meyney (St Estephe).
I've always liked this wine, but was a little tentative re a 375. No
need. Nice midweight wine, with clean blackcurrant fruit accented by
cedar and ferric mineral notes. A little leather. There's a little
bretty note of animal fur and manure that I haven't noticed in 750s,
but not anything that bothers me. Nice wine, as always one of my
favorite Meyneys (ties with '89). A-/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.