Monday was wineless ( dinner was bibimbap and a great tofu/edamame/shiitake stirfry), Tuesday I went to oversee the arrival of 5 busloads of clients/friends for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner, then home for a late dinner with Betsy and her mom who just arrived from CA. Chicken and broccoli with egg noodles, and the 2013 Guion "Cuvee Prestige" Bourgueil, Nice lighter styled Cab Franc as usual, red fruited with a lot of herb and a hint of green tobacco leaf. Fun and easy. B

Wednesday we (Betsy, her mom, and myself) met her sister's family at a local restaurant, Fried pickle starter was my favorite part of meal, but the shrimp with grits and chorizo wasn't bad. Unfortunately the (vintage unknown) BTG Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc was a bit sweet, quite vapid, & short- but at least it wasn't grassy! C/C+

At home we opened the 2013 Cazin Cour-Cheverney. Green apple, wax, citrus, nice length,fun and perfectly pleasant wine if not as beguiling as some vintages. B

Thanksgiving Day Betsy did the fresh local turkey (dry brined), I made oyster dressing and carrots with cumin & turmeric, we bundled it all over to her sister's place. Cal & Kath did salmon, Brussels sprouts, mashed potato casserole, sweet potatoes with pecans, etc

2013 Bluestone Chardonnay (Shenandoah)
Sweet canned pear, oak, not my style. C/C+

2012 Selbach Oster Riesling Spatlese
This isn't vineyard designated, and it comes across as clumsier than most SO wines. Moderate sweetness, good acids, white fruits, a bit monotone. Popular though. B-/B

1997 Kalin "Cuvee DD" Pinot Noir
There's a strange funk- not brett, not reduction (I don't think) on nose,but not really offputting, and quite delicious on palate. Red cherries, spice, incense. Quite long, quite lively. B+

2013 Foillard "Cote du Py" Morgon
Bright and balanced, red fruits and underbrush, a hint of barnyard, but just a hint. B+

1998 Marques del Puerto Rioja Gran Reserva
Black cherry, earth, oak, dill. A bit dull, not very complex, but hey it was supercheap. B-/C+

Friday we wanted a break from leftovers, so we had lemon sole & baby bok choy (and a little oyster dressing ). Wine was the 2012 Drouhin St Veran. This is a pretty solid wine for its price, but for my tastes it seems a bit riper/richer/softer than some earlier vintages. I'm looking for a crisp minerally Maconnais, and this drinks more like a ripe vintage (Cote d'Or) Bourgogne. Still, tasty. B

Saturday was turkey pie (leftover turkey, potatoes, dressing, plus cheddar, greens, squash- all encased in puff pastry) . Wine was the 2007 Jadot (Ch. des Jacques) "la Roche" Moulin-a-vent. More Burgundian than Beaujolaisien, Red fruits, cedar, a little sandalwood. Ready. B+/B
Sunday I cooked while Betsy took her mom to airport- pork tenderloin on bed of tomato/shallot, broccoli, and quinoa. Wine was the 2013 Descombes Brouilly Cherries, flowers (violet?), light herbal notes. Good acids. 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.