Long week, and when I got home Friday I felt like a glass of something
good. Opened a half-bottle of the NV Pierre Peters Blanc de Blanc
Champagne. Bread dough, pears, lemon zest, apple blossoms. Good
acidity, moderately sized mousse, fairly full in the mouth. B+

Betsy had stuffed some pork chops with a broccoli sprout pesto, wine
was the 2007 Clos des Roillete (Coudert) Fleurie. Light, fresh,
raspberries and cherries, a little less oomph than the last couple
vintages, but a good match with the dinner and nice on the patio
(lightly chilled).B
*
Last night we were invited to some friends for dinner. Entertainment
was provided by the 3 new kittens they had gotten that day. We started
outside on their lovely patio with soppresata, olives, and cheeses,
and the NV Sciarpa Prosecco. Light, easy, fine as an apertif. B-
*
Al did mussels meuniere, wine was the 2007 Clos de la Fine Muscadet.
Lighter style, more citrus than mineral, it ain't Pepiere but
certainly drinkable. B-

We endured the sprinkles, but when it looked like a real rain we moved
inside. Main course was lamb chops, corn, and salad. Couple of reds:

1997 Einaudi Barolo
Twelve is young for a fairly traditional Barolo, but this ripe vintage
wine seems fairly mature to me. Very floral notes. Warm red fruit,
earth, light tar notes. Still some tannins, but I'd drink this up. B+

2007 Rimbert "Les Travers de Marceau" St Chinian
Earth, good acidity, but despite the acids the fruits comes across
just a bit overripe. Red plum with a little hint of prune. Still, a
good solid wine. B

Fun night, especially the kittens!

Tonight Betsy prepared some yakitori for me to grill, while Dave
worked on a kale dish with cranberries, along with some rice with
furikake and leftover slaw. Wine was the 2007 Lafouge “Les Meix
Chavaux” Meursault (village level lieu-dit, I believe). Citrus, pears,
hazelnut, a little toasty oak. Very food acidity, medium bodied, nice
finish. Excellent value for level, I'll order more. A-

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.*