With Betsy away, Friday's dinner was some very exciting (ok, maybe not)
hot dogs. Enjoyed on the patio with some of the 2004 Ch. D'Oupia
Minervois Ros=E9. The 2003 was one of the few southern French '03 ros=E9s
that I liked, and this is better. Light-bodied, strawberries over
stones. Clean and clear with good acidity. Nice wine, and a deal at
$10. B+

I also opened a 375 of the 2001 Ch. de Sales (Pomerol). Pleasant round
Merlot black plum fruit, light ripe tannins, moderate vanilla oak, a
Blackstone Merlot of a Pomerol. There's an earthy note to partially
redeem it, but this confirms my idea that de Sales is only a buy in the
riper bigger vintages, when it obtains the Pomerol lushness. B-

Saturday I was tired of eating alone, and invited friends for dinner.
Before heading to a youth seminar where I was speaking, marinated some
flank steak in a combo of red wine and dark soy sauce. When I got back,
marinated some shrimp briefly in a white wine and pepper flake combo,
and tasted the wine, the 2003 Cairnbrae "The Stones" Sauvignon Blanc.
When my first couple '04 NZSBs were disappointing I had bought more of
this screwcapped beauty (though now I hear the '04 Stones is quite
good, so I'm not sweating that this is my last '03). Gooseberry, citrus
and a hint of jalape=F1o, a bit of flint in the finish. Great QPR. B++

My guests brought an opened bottle of 2002 Pieropan Soave Classico
(along with salad, cheese, etc). Nicely sweet-flavored pear and white
nectarine fruit, with that almond note I seem to get in Italian whites
a lot. Light and fresh despite being opened a day (and not being
current release). Good with the shrimp.B+

With the beef, the 1998 Neyers Hudson Vineyards Syrah (Napa Valley). I
had picked this up for I think $15 on a PC closeout, and now wish I had
bought more. Big ripe Syrah with deep dark berry fruit. Some chocolatey
oak and some almost Rhone-ish smoke (though I don't think anyone would
mistake this for anything but California). This isn't a style I
gravitate towards, but pairs beautifully with the soy-tinged steak.
Fine example of CA Syrah. 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