Friday we had some colleagues of Betsy come up for dinner. Betsy made
a nice dinner, and we had a lovely night on the patio (the heatwave
didn't move in till Sat AM).

With lobio (a Russian/Georgian appetizer of black beans and onion),
the 2007 Edmunds St. John "Bone-Jolly" Rosé (Witters Vineyard, El
Dorado County). Strawberries and a little citrus, a bit less complex
and maybe less bright than the 2006. Good body, food-friendly,
forward. I like this, just not as much as the preceding vintage. B/B+

With asparagus with a Chardonnay sabayon (Ma Cuisine recipe), the 2002
Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet. Just a hint of vanilla-y oak, clean Fuji
apple and peach fruit, some earth tones. A medium-bodied Burg with a
little apple blossom floral note, integrated acidity, fairly ripe and
ready. B+

Main course was a mushroom risotto, with a chopped salad on side. Wine
was the 1996 Saintsbury Pinot Noir Reserve (Carneros). Still a touch
of tannins, the acidity is a bit spiky, black cherries and raspberries
on palate. Fruit is alive, but there is still a feeling this might
have seen better days. Acidity never really seems integrated, but ok
with the food. A glass later as I do dishes seems rough without food.
B/B-

Saturday the heat rolled in. I got the window ACs installed, and tried
to avoid going outside, except for a few minutes at the grill. I
grilled some hanger steak that Betsy had put in an Asian marinade,
served as a salad with greens, mint, etc. I went with another rosé,
the 2006 Sella
"Majoli" Rosato (Coste della Sesia). I've never run across another
Nebbiolo rosé than my old favorite the Cantalupo Il Mimo till now.
This shares some similarities to Il Mimo- it's a rosé with both acidic
and tannic structure that cries out for food, and there's both floral
aspects and a little hint of tar. It's a little different too- this
has a clean and clear note of cranberries, along with some spice. I
have to say, small sample size, but my batting average with Nebbiolo
pinks is very high! A buy again. 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.

On Jun 8, 3:41�pm, DaleW > wrote:
> Friday we had some colleagues of Betsy come up for dinner. Betsy made
> a nice dinner, and we had a lovely night on the patio (the heatwave
> didn't move in till Sat AM).
>
> With lobio (a Russian/Georgian appetizer of black beans and onion),
> the 2007 �Edmunds St. John "Bone-Jolly" �Ros� (Witters Vineyard, El
> Dorado County). Strawberries and a little citrus, a bit less complex
> and maybe less bright than the 2006. Good body, food-friendly,
> forward. I like this, just not as much as the preceding vintage. B/B+
>
> With asparagus with a Chardonnay sabayon (Ma Cuisine recipe), the 2002
> Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet. Just a hint of vanilla-y oak, clean Fuji
> apple and peach fruit, some earth tones. A medium-bodied Burg with a
> little apple blossom floral note, integrated acidity, fairly ripe and
> ready. B+
>
> Main course was a mushroom risotto, with a chopped salad on side. Wine
> was the 1996 Saintsbury Pinot Noir Reserve (Carneros). Still a touch
> of tannins, the acidity is a bit spiky, black cherries and raspberries
> on palate. Fruit is alive, but there is still a feeling this might
> have seen better days. Acidity never really seems integrated, but ok
> with the food. A glass later as I do dishes seems rough without food.
> B/B-
>
> Saturday the heat rolled in. I got the window ACs installed, and tried
> to avoid going outside, except for a few minutes at the grill. I
> grilled some hanger steak that Betsy had put in an Asian marinade,
> served as a salad with greens, mint, etc. I went with another ros�,
> the 2006 Sella
> "Majoli" Rosato (Coste della Sesia). I've never run across another
> Nebbiolo ros� than my old favorite the Cantalupo Il Mimo till now.
> This shares some similarities to Il Mimo- it's a ros� with both acidic
> and tannic structure that cries out for food, and there's both floral
> aspects and �a little hint of tar. It's a little different too- this
> has a clean and clear note of cranberries, along with some spice. I
> have to say, small sample size, but my batting average with Nebbiolo
> pinks is very high! A buy again. 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.

correction: lobio is with red kidney beans

In article
>,
DaleW > wrote:

> Friday we had some colleagues of Betsy come up for dinner. Betsy made
> a nice dinner, and we had a lovely night on the patio (the heatwave
> didn't move in till Sat AM).
>
> With lobio (a Russian/Georgian appetizer of black beans and onion),
> the 2007 Edmunds St. John "Bone-Jolly" Rosé (Witters Vineyard, El
> Dorado County). Strawberries and a little citrus, a bit less complex
> and maybe less bright than the 2006. Good body, food-friendly,
> forward. I like this, just not as much as the preceding vintage. B/B+
>
> With asparagus with a Chardonnay sabayon (Ma Cuisine recipe), the 2002
> Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet. Just a hint of vanilla-y oak, clean Fuji
> apple and peach fruit, some earth tones. A medium-bodied Burg with a
> little apple blossom floral note, integrated acidity, fairly ripe and
> ready. B+
>
> Main course was a mushroom risotto, with a chopped salad on side. Wine
> was the 1996 Saintsbury Pinot Noir Reserve (Carneros). Still a touch
> of tannins, the acidity is a bit spiky, black cherries and raspberries
> on palate. Fruit is alive, but there is still a feeling this might
> have seen better days. Acidity never really seems integrated, but ok
> with the food. A glass later as I do dishes seems rough without food.
> B/B-
>
> Saturday the heat rolled in. I got the window ACs installed, and tried
> to avoid going outside, except for a few minutes at the grill. I
> grilled some hanger steak that Betsy had put in an Asian marinade,
> served as a salad with greens, mint, etc. I went with another rosé,
> the 2006 Sella
> "Majoli" Rosato (Coste della Sesia). I've never run across another
> Nebbiolo rosé than my old favorite the Cantalupo Il Mimo till now.
> This shares some similarities to Il Mimo- it's a rosé with both acidic
> and tannic structure that cries out for food, and there's both floral
> aspects and a little hint of tar. It's a little different too- this
> has a clean and clear note of cranberries, along with some spice. I
> have to say, small sample size, but my batting average with Nebbiolo
> pinks is very high! A buy again. 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.

Had my last bottle of '96 Saintsbury Pinot Noir Reserve in January and
thought it might be a bit over the hill then