Saturday we skipped any traditional Valentine's Day celebrations to go to a
long-put-off dinner with a colleague of Betsy's. One couple present had
returned day before from China with an adopted baby girl, the 15 month old was
adorable. Dinner was beef with a horseradish sauce on the side, asparagus,
mashed potatoes, and mushrooms. I had asked if I could bring wine, was told
"we're having beef, how about red or white Zinfandel?" Yep, not wine-geeks. So
I carried a 1999 Dry Creek Valley "Heritage Clone" Zinfandel (Sonoma). Good
red berry fruit, along with a pretty good dose ( but well-integrated ) of sweet
oak. A little peppery zip to the finish. Really a pleasant medium-bodied Zin,
well-balanced, and a crowd-pleaser to a non-geek crowd. Decent value at $16.
B/B+

Earlier that day I had errrands in Scarsdale, and popped in on a bubbly tasting
at Zachys:
NV Pacific Echo ($12.99) acceptable for a $13 bubbly, but no more (I remember
this as being better in past). Light and innocuous, light granny smith apple
fruit, short finish
NV "Yellow Label" Veuve Cliquot Brut($34.99) Not usually my favorite of big
house Champagnes, and this does little to change my mind. A little ponderous,
big flavors of apple and citrus, but little verve in the veuve.
1996 Veuve Cliquot Brut Rosé ($52.99) Much much nicer. Zippy acidity balancing
strawberry fruit, nice finish. Best $50-ish rosé I've tasted since the '90 Pol
Roger.
1995 Veuve Cliquot "La Grande Dame" ($99) lemony edge apple fruit, yeasty.
Pretty good, but I think I liked the '96 rosé better. Have some '96 Grande Dame
on order from PC, hopefully the vintage will give it a slight edge.
NV Krug Rosé ($200) red fruit with an orange-juice edge (sounds weird, tastes
nice), way over much budget, to my regret.
Dale

Dale Williams
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