I had a meeting on 14th, so Betsy made Valentine’s Day dinner a day early. A starter of foie gras/truffle medallions, then spatchcocked cornish hens, roasted root vegetables and mushrooms, and sauteed arugula with the 2008 Matrot Meursault. Full, lots of citrus, light hazelnut/vanillin accents, young but should one risk aging these days? B+
Thursday a minor transportation crisis meant I had no dinner before meeting, so I got home late to find Betsy had saved me some stroganoff. I opened the 2006 Giovanni Rosso “Serralunga” Barolo (in 375 ml). Workhorse Barolo, firm but not scratchy tannins, plenty of red fruit, a touch of violets. Fine if not compelling. B
Friday I made teriyaki salmon, a napa/bok choy stirfry, and couscous, wine was the 2008 David Duband Gevrey-Chambertin. Continuing in the mode of the Barolo, another steady but not exciting wine. No overt oak, black cherry fruit with a little mushroom and forest floor, light tannins, B
Saturday was poulet bonne femme and cauliflower with pimenton, and the 2009 Pepiere Ch. Thebaud Muscadet. This is really fun- full and leesy, with vibrant acids, quince and lemon fruit, long. Oyster shells and sea salt, very minerally long finish. A-
Sunday I made the tomato sauce and Betsy made the meatballs and pasta, we had the 2006 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco (need to look for lot #). Fairly big, but surprisingly approachable tannins, dark fruits, spice (star anise?), quite impressive. Sure it needs time, but very nice now. 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.