TN: Bdx, Chablis, NZ, Champagne before Epiphany
 

We had an early dinner Saturday, with a fish stew with shrimp,
mussels, halibut , scallops, and vegetables, along with the 2006 JM
Brocard "Domaine Ste. Claire" Chablis. Nice effort for regional
Chablos, Gala apple and lemon, a good note of chalk especially on
finish. Not especially long, but satisfying and a good value at $14
(but a bigger rounder wine might have done better with the rich stew).
B

We dropped off Betsy's parents and niece at her sister's, then went to
friends who were having an early Epiphany party, complete with gallete
des rois. I was too full to sample the gravlax, salads, or cheeses,
but did sample all the wines:

NV Piper-Heisdeck Brut Champagne
Light and fresh, apple pie and a little floral note. BB+

2006 Wild Rock "The Infamous Goose" Sauvignon Blanc
Better than another vintage I had of this. A bit thin, but reasonable
NZ SB character with gooseberry, kiwi, and a little grass. Simple and
innocuous. B-

2000 Ste. Colombe (Cotes du Castillon)
This has aged better than I expected. Resolved tannins, lively black
plum fruit, good length, nice texture. B+/B

2000 Ch. Duplessy (1er Cotes du Bordeaux)
Another nice 2000 surprise. Plum and berry fruit, some earth and
cigarbox, maybe a tad shorter than the Ste Colombe, but very good for
under-$10 Bdx. B

2005 Finnegan's Lake "Fin." Cabernet Sauvignon
This drew raves from many, I found overripe and short. Sweet, jammy,
yet lacking in concentration. C+

Nice party with great conversations.

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
*