Tuesday we had some dinner invites, but the hound had to have a little surgery (no cancer!). So we had a quiet night, Betsy made a family staple of chicken schnitzel over herb salad, and I opened a bottle of GV. The 2008 Nigl “Senftenberger Piri” Gruner Veltliner was a winner- snow peas meet green peas, citrus, just a hint of sugar, long minerally finish, good length. Classic and tasty, good with the schnitzel. B+/A-

Wedneday Betsy’s sis and niece joined us for Franey’s clams in a cream sauce over pasta, with spinach on the side. Cooking wine was 2011 Shaya Verdejo . Soft, peaches and a little lemon, mellow and round. I’m ok with it as a $10 wine, but could use a bit more zip. B-

Main wine was the 2012 Pepiere “Briords” Muscadet. Full, rich, and saline, rich lemon curd over seashells. Pretty much all I could want in a Muscadet. Can age, but tasty now over 2 days. Lovely. A-

Late dinner Thursday with strip steaks, grilled corn, grilled peppers, and salad. I had recently run across a box of small/satellite Bdx that had been tucked away longer than I had planned. The 2001 Ch. Les Cruzelles (Lalande de Pomerol) still had fruit, but it had even more TCA, corked, dammit. The 2000 Ch. Tayac Cuvee Reserve (Cotes du Bourg) was ready and easygoing, a softer style with resolved tannins, red plum fruit, some cigarbox and forest floor. Not a lot left in reserve here, don’t think it will age like the 1989 did, but who cares, drinking well now and it was inexpensive. 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.