FoodBanter.com - TN: Expectations (Hiedler, Lindemans, Chave, Burgs)

With Betsy away and David with friends, I had a couple of pork chops and opened
a 1999 Domaine Vincent Girardin* "Clos des Loyeres" Maranges 1er Cru. Some
light toasty oak, dark sweet berry and black cherry fruit, gives one a somewhat
"thick" impression. Not bad, in a Russian River Valley kind of way. B

Sunday I decided to make the chili I hadn't made the week before. Really a beer
meal, but instead I opened a bottle of red (had a glass or two before dinner
and one after, other than a couple of sips it was all seltzer during meal).
I've heard people complain about the 2000 JL Chave "Mon Couer" Côtes du Rhône.
I think if one's expectations are based on expecting some minor version of a
Chave Hermitage or St. Joseph (like a Voge or Clape CdR provides at least a
glimpse of their Cornas), you would indeed be disappointed. But I think judged
as a $13 CdR this is a pretty decent wine. Rich red (plum/raspberry) fruit,
earthy nose, kind of smoked meat and a little coffee. Somewhat lush, maybe good
thing I wasn't actually having with a meal, probably best on its own. B+

Betsy got in late Sunday, and by Monday was eager to cook again. She wanted to
do duck legs in a pinot noir sauce, and asked re a bottle of PN to use. I
wasn't eager to sacrifice a whole bottle of anything I had at home, said I
would drop one off. Stopped in a store I don't usually stop in because it was
by bank, looked around for something cheap. A 2002 Lindeman's Bin 99 seemed
best bet, though I don't usually hold out high hopes for Oz PN. I asked Betsy
to save me a couple of ounces. Hey, really not bad for $7 PN (a hard category).
Some light oak, cherry and red plum fruit, clean if short finish. Reasonably
balanced, actually tastes like PN (most under $10 pinots I come across are
either totally thin/anemic, or taste like under$10 merlot). Not great wine, but
decent QPR. Probably will buy more as a backup/cooking/party pinot. B

With the delicious duck, the 2000 Jean-Noel Gagnard
"Morgeots"Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru (Rouge). Much lighter color than the
Girardin (or the Oz pinot for that matter). Light and easy, earthy nose, clean
cherry and strawberry fruit. A little hint of mushroom after some air. Pleasant
enough Burg, good acidity makes it nice and food-friendly. Nothing compelling,
not up to the 1999, but ok. B

Over several nights, while contemplating Betsy's absence, Lucy the basset's
presence, and my navel, the 2001 Hiedler "Loiserberg" Riesling (Kamptal,
Austria). Light and lively, peach fruit with some citrus notes and a hint of
tropical fruit. Good acidity, nice mineral finish. Maybe not as deep as the
bigger single-vineyard Riesling, but this is lovely in its own right. B+/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.
Dale

Dale Williams
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