No wine Thursday with takeout Chinese before a board meeting and trip to city.
Friday clams on squid ink pasta.
2002 Flora Springs Select Cuvee Chardonnay
Enough life to use for a cooking wine, but low acid and oaky with some butter. This was a throwaway in a lot with Montelena and Monte Bello Chards. Would have expected more oxidation, but while alive an uninteresting wine but I didn’t need to waste Gadais on cooking. C+
2022 Gadais Peninsula Muscadet
Briney, classis saline/seashell Muscadet. B+/A-
Betsy was an event in the city, she was driver, so we invited one of her passengers and her husband for dinner afterwards. The ladies were delayed, but Ron and I sampled lots of wines while we waited (and saved them some)
With a sardine pate with onion relish
NV Roederer Estate Brut
Lovely character, with lemon, green apple, and a touch of almond and smoke. Elegant mousse, good length, nice domestic bubbly but if I have a quibble the dosage was a bit high for my tastes. Super popular at table, though. For me B+/B
Oysters with ramp mignonette, and scallops on ramp pesto bucatini
2022 Forjas del Salnes Leirana Albarino (Rías Baixas)
Lemon, green apple, a bit saline, a little rounder than some other vintages but still crisp and a good value. B+/B
Pot roast
1986 Meyney
An old friend showing well- cassis, cigarbox, just a hint of Cordier funk. Nice length, still a bit of tannin. I will say the final glass had a little ashtray, first sign I have seen that might be time to drink up. But still B+
2022 Baudry Grezeaux Chinon
Very young and primary, but still delicious, and I think I'll have trouble keeping my hands off these until really ready. Rich black cherry fruit with spice, tobacco, and just a hint of bell pepper. Long rich finish with firm but supple tannins. B+ for now, will be better.
We finished with (purchased) tiramisu and cornetto
I went and picked up Betsy’s mom from assisted living for Mother’s Day dinner. She had some quality cuddle time with the hound and cribbage time with Betsy while I made dinner- roast chicken with caramelized ramps, sesame snow peas, pasta, and salad.
2016 Collier Saumur Blanc
I loved the 2018, but this is even better, electric and long. Full, pear and white pit fruit with lemon zest, with some distinct wooly Chenin notes. Balanced, long, and structured. A-
No wine Monday with spicy turkey/ricotta meatballs, broccolini, and potatoes
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 the only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.