Saturday we went to dinner at some friends' home in Scarborough. Dinner was sole stuffed with crab with an almond crust, pureed butternut, and salad. I carried a couple of wines, both were served

1998 Vieux Chateau Chauvin
Black fruits, a little ferric note, a bit short for a RB from '98. B-

2014 Pepiere "Briords" Muscadet
I think this is neck to neck with the 2012 as my favorite Briords since 2004 (though I can't think of a vintage I didn't like). Lemony fruit, saline and fennel notes, bracing crispness, long satisfying finish. A-

Sunday we had friends and their dog over for dinner. First up canapes with assorted toppings- peas, pesto, olives, and anchovies, and a bubbly

NV Pinon Vouvray Petillant Non-Dose Brut
At first I thought this was a bit weird, with a rubberytreductive note, but that blew off and left some nice bubbly. Granny smith, lemon, chalk. B+

Betsy had made a Moroccan influenced chicken and chickpea stew as well as a salad

2011 Maison Bleue "Jaja"
I liked this before (and couple people liked this a lot) but didn't appeal so much last night. Modest kirschy fruit, a little pepper note, not very long. Off bottle or just me? B-/C+

2014 Billards St Amour
Pretty and deep, sappy cherry fruit with some herbal accents. Good stuff. B+

2014 Lapierre Raisins Gaulois
Light and easy, cranberry and cherries with bright acids. Good QPR., B

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. 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.