Betsy is in TN and NC for concerts since last Wed, I had a couple big wine events, but also several nights stag. Thursday night I was pooped, and grabbed a small pizza on way home. Opened the 2003 Columbia Winery Syrah (Columbia Valley). Sweet, round, empty. A really vapid wine. No better on day 2, by day 3 pruney. C
Next night was a pork chop, potatoes,and salad. I opened the 2006 Cazin
Cour- Cheverny. Sweet citrus fruit, a Chenin-like waxy note, zippy acidity. Lively and lovely. This was I guess Fri night, glasses Sat, Sun, and last night (Tues) were all alive and kicking. Some mineral/chalk, nice length, I'd call it sec-tendre.. Very good wine for the price. Romorantin rules! A-/B+
Last night's dinner wine (salad, another pork chop, squash) was the 1994 Montevertine Riserva (Toscano IGT). I have generally found '94 Chianti area wines to be underrated, if not stellar. But this one has seepage under the capsule, and a fairly saturated cork. Black cherry fruit with a little raisiny edge, leather, some spice. OK acidity. Certainly quite drinkable, but not up to Montevertine standards, this has probably seen some warm storage at some point (cheap recent winebid purchase). B-
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.