With a baby octopus salad as well as cauliflower steaks with cauliflower puree (sorry Jenise the dreaded 2-way!), the
2016 Karine Lauverjat Sancerre. Crisp and snappy, gooseberry and straw, typical and good (but not for David B). B/B+
With sous vide dry aged ribeye, steak sweet potatoes, and mushrooms (cremini, maitake, pioppini), the 1986 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Not a vintage of Cali I have much experience with, but what a great showing. Black cherry and black currant, cedar, smoke, and hint of cocoa. Tannins are resolved, acids are balance, finish is long. Not usually a buyer of Beringer but at least in this era I should be. A-
2015 Pinon Silex Noir Vouvray
On the sweeter side of sec-tendre, tropical and lemon fruit with orchard blossoms, just a hint of wax, chalky mineral finish. Young and tasty. B+/A-
Went to Betsy’s quartet’s concert (Borodin Beethoven and Wagner - actually a new piece, it’s Melinda Wagner) so had slow cooker going. Recipe for a Basque chicken and rice dish, though I tinkered (lamb merguez instead of ham) a bit, plus berbere glazed carrots, and pea/sunflower shoot/avocado salad
2015 Finca Genoveva (Vinos Atlanticos)
This was 3 different wines, and I liked them all! 100% Caino from Rías Baixas. At first it’s snappy and raspberry flavored,with a floral nose, I’m thinking “Caino is like Gamay.” Then by dinner it has rounded out, gotten more black cherry, and I’m thinking “Caino is like Pinot.” By the end it had filled out as well, quite full bodied, and I’m thinking “Caino is Caino, and I like it.” Herby, floral, long, minerally. A-
2005 Gunderloch Nackenheim Rothenberg Spatlese
Softer acids than I like in my Riesling, but killer rich peach and tropical fruit. Love the flavors, but sits heavy. Auslese weight. B/B-
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. 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.