Friday lamb rib chops, squash, and the 2000 Ch. Grand Corbin Despagne (St Emilion).Black plums, mocha, some leather. Midbodied, ripe, still some grip. Attractive enough mid-modern St Em, though nothing compelling. B

Saturday some friends and an extra dog. We started off with some gravlax and some octopus Ron had grilled, with the NV Camille Saves €œCuvee Prestige€� Brut Champagne. Ive had this cellaring several years, showing really well. Fine bead, apple and pear with flinty minerals and citrus zest. Elegant mousse, some smoky notes emerge with time. A-/B+

We adjourned to patio, first sitdown course was my littleneck clams and pasta. Wine was the
2005 Larrivet Haut Brion blanc. Others liked, I didnt. Oaky, nutty, soft to the point of flabby, could have been a CA €œfume blanc€�. C+

Our local butcher is closed for a while due to an electrical fire in their building, but the local supermarket has started carrying a small selection of prime meat. I grilled a perfectly marbled ribeye, served with escarole/arugula salad, gazpacho, and a couple reds

1983 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz Mtns)
OK, this isnt Monte Bello, but this is showing just lovely for 34. Red fruits, spice and bright acids, resolved tannins, fragrant nose with cedar and forest floor. Ive had this for years and €œalmost€� opened several times, glad I finally did, overachiever. A-

2003 Arcadian €œStarlane Cuvee Robert O. Fleming€� Syrah
Others favorite. Round, mint, meaty, good but lacks a little precision. B

Today our CSA had corn for first time. Betsy made a corn soup with Indian spices and some quick Asian pickles, I made hake and some beet greens. Dinner on patio (absolutely lovely day), wine was the 2016 Meinklang Gruner Veltliner (Burgenland). Hint of spritz, hint of sweetness. Peas and peaches, moderate acids, pleasant and easy. 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.