With dinner Friday night of pasta with Bolognese sauce, the 2001
Felsina Chianti Classico from 375. Black cherry fruit with a hint of
dried cherries, light floral aromas backed by a mild earthiness. Filled
out with air. Nice medium-bodied Sangiovese with lively acidity, clean
finish. Very good value (I paid $8.xx for the half-bottle). B+

Betsy had asked for a cup of dry white for the recipe, I had opened yet
another bottle of the 2004 Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet. Still one of
the great $9 wines available, I'm running out (but no panic, as I like
the 2005 too). Crisp, mineral, hints of the seashore. B+ (solid A for
value)

Saturday the remnants of Ernesto were coming through, it was very cool
(for Labor Day weekend), rainy, and windy. Betsy decided on an autumny
dish of lamb shanks. This was a clipped recipe (NYT I think ) for
"Vermont Lamb Shanks", recipe included cider and Armagnac. Keeping with
my Tuscan weekend theme I opened the 2001 Montevertine. As much as I
liked the Felsina, this just absolutely rocked. Rich velvety texture
yet with a firm acidity, deep rich cherry fruit with hints of fig,
cigarbox, and earth. Spicy and smooth, very appealing. After dinner we
watched a DVD, finishing just as we were plunged into darkness. I had
another glass by candlelight, about 3 hours of air had made it even
better. Lovely. A-

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.

Three nice wines, Dale. It's good to see that you're treating
yourselves well!

Mark Lipton
(putting the remains of a very nice '02 Roland Lavantereux Chablis in
the fridge -- went very with roasted wild sockeye salmon)