Saturday I grilled marinated chicken from HMart & shishitos, rest of dinner was assorted leftovers. Wine was the 2015 Alzitana Rose (Ile de Beaute). Strawberries and cherries, nice flavors but soft and somewhat one dimensional. B-

Sunday I had an all day meeting, Betsy put together a nice dinner and friends came over for our first al fresco dinner of the year. We enjoyed shishitos (Betsy bought a big bag!), marinated mushrooms, olives, and the 2013 Albert Mann Cremant d'Alsace Extra Brut. Dry, with peach and greengage flavors, light petillance, crisp finish. B/B+

For the bubble hater we had the 2014 Kumeu River Village Chardonnay. No noticable oak, sweet tropical fruit edged with citrus, moderate acids, clean finish. B

Dinner was lamb chops and pasta primavera (Le Cirque recipe, with peas, asparagus, favas, maiitakes, pinenuts)

1986 Ch. Giscours (Margaux)
Tough period for Giscours. This actually isn't bad for old generic claret, but hard to recognize as a 1986 or a Margaux. Fading red berry fruit, cedar, soft without any tannin. Still, quite drinkable, and guests enjoyed it. B-/C+

2013 Texier Chat Fou Cotes du Rhone
Lighter styled Rhone, maybe a little light for the lamb, but fun, juicy, and fresh, and I quite enjoyed as we enjoyed the outdoors. Great value. B+/B

No wine Monday with grilled bbq tofu, mushroom ragout, quinoa, and salad. Last night cod poached in wine/ stock/fennel with a broccoli salad and rice, wine was the 2014 JP Brun/Terres Dorees Beaujolais Blanc. Good acids, clean pear and apple fruit, a nice floral topnote. Fun and a fine value. B/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.