So heat finally broke, Betsy was in the mood for Bolognese. We were eating outside, I wanted something to serve cool, so went pink, with the 2008 Cantalupo "Il Mimo" rosado (I confess to never even thinking of rose with meat sauce before, but it went ok with the pasta and a yellow beet salad). Deep beautiful color. Red cherries and strawberry, a distinct tangy citrus note, a pleasantly bitter herb edge. Even some light tannins along with good acidity. Fine rose. B+
Tuesday dinner was a really delicious scrod with a ginger garlic sauce, Japanese eggplant with a peanut sauce, green beans and rice. Wine was the 2002 Colin-Deleger et Fils " La Maltroie" Chassagne-Montrachet 1er, C-D has lots of PremOx reports, so I was wary, but this actually showed like a sound 7 year old. But not a great 7 year old. Oak is mostly integrated, just a bit of vanillan and hint of toast, but the pear fruit is a tad subdued, and the finish too short for a good 1er cru vineyard. Moderate acidity, ok but a bit blah. Would be ok as a Bourgogne AC B-/C+
Last night we did a citrus marinated fresh farm chicken under brick (well, skillet) on grill, with chard, salad, and carrots. Wine was the 2002 Luneau-Papin "Clos des Noelles Excelsior" Muscadet. Muscadet isn't my first thought with chicken, but this isn't your typical Muscadet, and besides I felt like drinking it. Big and rich, yet with a good seashell/saline edge that makes you realize it's of its place. Lemon and green apples, but the fruit (rich though it is) takes backseat to the minerality that's driving. Needs time A-/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.