Last night we went to a St Paddys dinner at some friends' home. Betsy had made homemade potato chips (3 types- rosemary, salt and pepper, and truffle salt) which we topped with creme fraiche and ikura. Then a traditional Irish-American dinner of corned beed and cabbage and potatoes, plus a salad.

NV Gruet Blanc de Noirs
Clean and tasty if unremarkable. B-

2009 Clos de L'Abbe Dubois (Cotes du Vivarais)
Ron said "Claire brought a CdRhone," later I noted it is actually an appellation I don't know, but the description seemed to fit. Red fruit, good acids, straightforward. B-

2007 Linne Calodo Sticks and Stones (Paso Robles)
This was an expensive/generous gift from a friend whose tastes run a bit more New World than mine. But Ron our host likes big wines and Rhone varieties, so this seemed like a good time to take along and open. Whoa! This is very sweet and hot, even Ron finds too much. I check label -15.8%, and showing all of it. Ripe/overripe cherries, licorice. hot on finish. Actually, I liked it a bit better at end of meal when it's Portiness didn't seem to matter as much. But for most part, C/C+

2006 St Innocent "Anden Vineyard" Pinot Noir
Bigger/riper than I remember most St. I's, but mostly in balance - a nice young PN with some earth and a little funk over a solid black cherry body. Good but not my favorite from winery. B

1998 Coudoulet de Beaucastel (Cotes du Rhone)
Last bottle opened, first bottle finished. This lives up to the Coudoulet rep of a baby CdP. I have found some 98 Southern Rhones overripe, but this is fairly cool fruited (for a Grenache blend)- cherries, coffee, and herb. Tannins well in background, more than adequate acids, very good length. Drinking very nicely. 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.