Cumin/mustard pork chops, sweet potato, broccoli rabe
2023 Baudry Les Granges Chinon
Blackcurrant, tobacco leaf, and just a hint of barnyard, light (12% abv) but with deep flavor, easy tannins, fresh acids. Drinking well already. B+
Betsy went to Virginia for weekend, I had a speech to a “cardboard city” at a girls school and then came home for a solo late dinner-crab cakes, cabbage, salad
2021 Alberto Orte Atlantida (Andalusia)
This is my first Vijiriega, and it doesn’t make me want more. Heavy texture, some alcohol burn (says 14%, would have guessed higher), plodding. C/C+
After a really long day thought I deserved better, so I opened another bottle.
2023 Rodrigo Mendez Raio de Vella Albarino (Rias Baixas). This is more like it. Grass and lemongrass on nose, rich lemony palate with oystershell/mineral finish. Good acids, long finish. B+
Decided I was too bored with Betsy gone, rounded up a small crew of wine geeks for Sat dinner.
Smoked bay scallops, Robiola, Camembert, pate de Campagne, smoked salmon, smoked pork loin
2020 Ultramarine Heintz Rose
After the raging dumpster fire showing of the 2020 BdB, wanted to get rid of this. Well, it’s better than the bizarre BdB, but still kind of weird. Chipotle and mustard seed on the nose, palate is a bit better. One person actually likes, though I can at least tolerate. C+/B-
NV Seleque Quintette (11/23 dg)
Lovely Blanc de Blancs, bright pear fruit, chalky mineral notes, elegant mousse, long. A-
Sasha brought some Maine oysters
2022 Gadais Peninsula Muscadet
Delicious and intriguing, a day at the seashore in this bottle. Citrus and almond, a honeysuckle note on the nose, but really about the seashell and seabreeze finish. Amazing value., A-
2016 Albert Seltz Riesling
Tangerine, a little petrol, touch of RS, pleasant but I don’t find compelling, others like more. B/B-
Sauteed sea scallops
2007 Fichet Chevalieres Meursault
I’ve had great luck with Fichet, but this is not so fun. Tangy/mineral and some oak notes, no overt oxidation but basically no fruit. C+/B-
2009 Joseph Swan Chardonnay
Holding on, rather buxom Chardonnay with hint of a little heat, but still pretty tasty. B
2013 Pearl Morisette Cuvee Dix-Neuvieme Chardonnay
3 Chardonnays and my favorite is Canadian? Apple, pear, anda touch of lemon meringue pie, fruit sweetness but crisp, best Niagara wine I’ve had. B+/B
Blind red
1990 Ch Lagrange (Pomerol) (375 ml)
One errant guess of Mouvredre, then John went straight to Pomerol. But no one got property (I think no one had ever had before, though we all know of it since we have to specify the St Julien), it’s tiny I think. Black plum, espresso, a bit of cigar ash on finish. Fully mature in this format and needs to be drunk, but fun. B/B+
Lamb saddle, spinach, potatoes (I also had made a great assortment of sauteed mushrooms, but forgot to serve!)
1989 Ridge Monte Bello
For an unheralded vintage drinking amazingly well. Cassis, cigarbox, resolved tanniin, tangy acids A little hint of pleasantly integrated chipotle pepper, spicy. A-
1988 Ridge Monte Bello
I didn’t love this at first, but it bounced back nicely. Red and black fruits, Earl Grey, quite floral and cedary. I still preferred the 1989 by a hair but others liked this a tad more. A-/B+
1989 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon
Black plum, black currant, green pepper and a touch of eucalyptus. Nicely balanced, good length, B+/A-
1970 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
This can be an excellent wine but this was showing pretty tired. Dark plummy fruit, a little roasted, this bottle C+ but can be better.
Lamb merguez, glazed ras el hanout carrots, mushrooms, broccoli
2017 Lapierre Morgon
Red cherry and cranberry, spicy, orange zest, ready to go. I mostly stopped buying Lapierre but this is pretty good! B+
No wine Monday with a delicious saland-e nakhod (Afghani chickpea stew)
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.