Sunday was a busy day, a morning speech, a few hours of dinner prep, then I drove Betsy's mom and her friend to Betsy's concert in Stamford. Incredible setting (Treetops, the former Libby Holman estate) for a great concert- Cassatt quartet and an excellent harpist (Ravel, Faure, Beethoven, and Pierne). After concert I slipped out of reception to get going on dinner. Betsy brought back her mom and friend, and then we had 2 more couples join us. Greeting wine was the NV Lallier Rose Champagne, strawberries and melon, medium-bodied, good. B/B+

I had marinated some shrimp, grilled those and served with the 2011 Cowan Cellars "Isa" Sauvignon Blanc. Full, earthy, honied (though totally dry), floral. Different and quite popular, even among those who had no idea what skin-contact is. B+/A-

Main course was beef with a shawarma-ish seasoning, with a sesame-broccoli salad, corn, and a mesclun salad.

1998 Ch. Meyney
A recent surprise cellar finding, this is midbodied, with some grainy tannin remaining. Modest black plum fruit, some leather, a little green. Rather short, not very charming. B-/C+

2011 Franck Balthazar Cotes du Rhone
Red fruits, pepper and spice, lively, fun. B+

NV Shebang (Bedrock) Sixth Cuvee
Screwcap, a kind of spritz, sweet red fruit, light, easy, kind of lighter CdR meets Zin style. B/B-

Monday we had Betsy's mom and friend again, with mixed mushroom pizza, grilled vegetables, and sorrel salad.

2013 Renegade Rose
Candied, a little hot, not what I want in a pink. Time to open a backup C+

2013 Umathum "Rosa"
Bright pink, sweet fruit but not candied, fuller style, but nicely balanced.. 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.