Zachys has been having some amazing mailing list closeouts, and I went over Saturday and picked up several cases (mostly $20 Barolo), But I love varierty, so had let a few friends have some bottles at cost (or in two cases traded a couple of the $10 specials for ones that others bought cases of in same sale). One such trade was for the 2007 Giovanni Rosso "Le Quattro Vigne" Dolcetto d'Alba. I decided to have a glass with a very late dinner with my father-in-law and Dave (f-i-l flew in Sat night, but his 6:30 arrival ended up being 8:45). With a bean/sausage/ham stew I had simmering, the Dolcetto was fruit forward and just a little grapey. Red plum and darker berries, rather firm yet not raspy tannins, low acidity. Correct if not especially exciting, B/B-
Father's Day we had Betsy's dad as well as her sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew for dinner. The sister's family are pesce-vegetarians, so we planned according. King crab legs, grilled Copper River sockeye, grilled vegetables (we got in the grilling, but had to eat inside due to intermittent rain), spahgetti with a garlic scape sauce, salad, savory bluecheesecake, and cake. After dinner we watched a DVD that Kath had made from old home movies for her dad. The evening's wines:
NV Sciarpa Prosecco
Light, citrus, a little floral, refreshing but a bit thin. B-
2007 Donnhoff Riesling (Nahe)
An annual favorite, but I especially like this year. Lime, apples, and cherries, good acidity, creamy mouthfeel, great for a QbA. B++
1988 Monceau-Boch " Champans" Volnay 1er Cru
Light color, red cherries and strawberries, a little hint of caramel, still some tannins. Earth and decaying leaves, fruit seems to deepen a bit with some time/air, lots of sediment. Pretty good, the tannins are just a bit much for the lighter styled fruit. Other than that I would have loved. B
2003 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley)
I liked this more than a recent '02 Sonoma. Good fairly rich red fruits, some earth and mushroom, a hint of sandal/spice,.smooth mostly resolved tannins, balanced acidity. Not especially long, but a very nice CalPN. B+
2005 Ch. Puy-Guilhem (Fronsac)
This was afterwards. Quite tannic for a satellite, cassis and some blackberry, just a hint of oak, tight. I had planned these are everyday Bordeaux, but this needs time. A C+/B- for drinking now, but I think will show better in a few years, I'll say B in potential.
Nice night (the 60s home movies were better than the wines).
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.