A bit behind on notes. For meatless Tuesday, pasta with spinach and
mushrooms in a lemon-cream sauce, and the 2008 Trimbach Riesling. The
yellow label is solid and typical - good acids, citrus and pit fruits,
nice structure. Good vintage for this annual value (if you don't mind
a bit of leaness) B

Wednesday the 2009 Pepiere Muscadet was the choice with a tough food
match, bluefish served with a starter of kale over garlic toast.
Sturdy for level, lovely bright acids, more fruit than some vintages,
but still distinct and vivid seashell/mineral notes. Lovely wine, for
$10. B++

Thursday I was taking a group to the city, so not really planning on
wine. Betsy needed a cup of dry red wine for the lamb shanks with
white beans, I told her to open the 2007 Mas du Fadan (Cotes de
Ventoux). Had a half glass with the shanks, beans, and a broccoli rabe/
pea combo. Quite ripe, some light tannins, herby. Not exciting but hey
it was $5. Remainder was oxidized and hot Sat. First night, B-/C+

Friday (after very little sleep) I had a physical, a long work day,
and then a huge offline (that I barely stayed awake for). That's for
another post.

Saturday I was home alone (well, with hound), made a pizza (cheese,
cajun andouille, olive, and tomato), drank the 2009
Chavannes "Cuvee des Ambassades" Cote de Brouilly. New wine to me, I
bought as part of a mixed 6 of 2009 Cru Beaujolais. Lean, pretty Gamay
fruit, a bit less exuberant than the other '09s I've tried, but
interesting and true wine. Raspberries, fresh cherry, floral. Old
style Beaujolais. At the $15-16 I paid all in, I'm quite happy with
this. B+

Betsy made sauteed escarole when she got in from show, I contributed a
pair of branzino with garlic and rosemary, a couple of 2 hour baked
potatoes, and the 2009 Hiedler "Maximum Reserve" Gruner Veltliner. I
found this disconcertingly round and lush, to me this is like a Napa
Valley version of GV. Oh, it has acidity, but the fruit is so ripe/
sweet that it dominates. Betsy actually quite likes, and maybe I'm
just suffering from tasting fatique. I hope so, as I have 5 more, and
this just gets a B- from me

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.*

DaleW wrote:

> Wednesday the 2009 Pepiere Muscadet was the choice with a tough food
> match, bluefish served with a starter of kale over garlic toast.
> Sturdy for level, lovely bright acids, more fruit than some vintages,
> but still distinct and vivid seashell/mineral notes. Lovely wine, for
> $10. B++

Yes, we've really enjoyed the '09 Pepiere, too. Year in and year out,
this is a great QPR white.

>
> Saturday I was home alone (well, with hound), made a pizza (cheese,
> cajun andouille, olive, and tomato), drank the 2009
> Chavannes "Cuvee des Ambassades" Cote de Brouilly. New wine to me, I
> bought as part of a mixed 6 of 2009 Cru Beaujolais. Lean, pretty Gamay
> fruit, a bit less exuberant than the other '09s I've tried, but
> interesting and true wine. Raspberries, fresh cherry, floral. Old
> style Beaujolais. At the $15-16 I paid all in, I'm quite happy with
> this. B+

That's a new producer for me, too, Dale. Who brings this in?


Thanks for the interesting notes, Dale. I hope that you had fun at
Berserkerfest.

Mark Lipton