Wednesday was a no-wine day, I spent the evening getting soaked in a deluge in city, decided to dry off and go to sleep rather than a nightcap. Thursday I was a bit pooped, had takeout ribs and the 2002 Michel Lafarge Bourgogne Passetoutgrains. This has put on some weight over last year or two, and the PN characteristics are more pronounced (or in Beaujolais I guess they would say the Gamay has begun to pinotte). Nice concentration, black and red cherries, a little spice, a lot of earth. Good acidity, perfectly ripe fruit. Very good for level. Could easily pass for say a Savigny B+
Friday a friend came by to trade some wines, it was hot and I grabbed a white from fridge, the 2007 Ipsum Rueda. Grapefruit and pear, with a real grassy edge. The latter made me think it probably has some Sauvignon Blanc, but label says I'm wrong- 60% Verdejo, 40% Viura. OK as a quick cold drink, but even for a lighter styled wine this could stand to pack a little more concentration. Decent, but not going back for more. B-
Dinner was on the grill- a porterhouse, squash, corn, and salad (ok, so salad wasn't grilled). Wine was the 2001 Ch. Faugeres (St Emilion). I had liked its little brother the Cap de Faugeres, but drank mine up. Was holding on to this, but some recent notes saying the CdF was cracking up made me decide to give this a try. Lush soft nose of kirsch and coffee, the tannins are still rather firm. Low-acid, the fruit is definitely turned towards the overripe end of spectrum. I can drink a glass or two with the steak buffering the tannins, but find it unappealing by itself. Not sure exactly where this is going. The tannins need time, but the almost roasted/jammy fruit profile is not one I tend to like to age. Not unhappy this was only one I had. B-/C+
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.