FoodBanter.com - TN: CdP, Fiefs de Lagrange, Trimbach, Bonny Doon

Saturday a dinner party at friends' home, Betsy was working, but another couple
gave me a ride, so I indulged on a variety of mostly inexpensive wines. The
2003 Kris Pinot Grigio (delle Venezie, price tag on bottle said $12.99) had
light citrus fruit and a somewhat floral nose. Not enough acidity for me, but
seemed to be a crowdpleaser. B-

The 2001 Bonny Doon Syrah was ripe, round, and lightly oaked. Pleasant fun wine
that was a hit at the table, deep red fruit made it enjoyable if a bit simple.
B

I had carried along the 2001 Les Fiefs de Lagrange. Opened hard and tight. Not
a very enjoyable experience. Revisited the remaining part at the end of the
night, time had done it much good. Not a big wine, this could qualify as a
"luncheon claret", but clean red fruit intertwined with scents of leather and
cedar. A couple years in cellar should do this one some good. Good QPR at
something like $13-15.

The light Syrah was probably the best match with the salmon and chicken
marbella main courses.

Sunday night while Betsy was driving home I grilled pork satay, served with
Indian baked rice. Wine was the 1998 Bois de Boursan Chteauneuf-du-Pape.
Predictably, a bit tight and stern at first. After a while opened to deep
kirsch fruit, herbs and flowers. Not especially oak-driven. I liked (and Betsy
liked a lot), but there's something about superripe Grenache (I'm guessing re
the cepage, but seemed grenachey to me) that keeps me from getting really
excited. But a good wine. B+

With Betsy's "Chinese Chicken (poached chicken and scallions with soy sauce and
hot peanut oil), the 2002 Trimbach Riesling. Riper and seemingly less austere
than in most vintages, a clean fresh wine, peach fruit with a good dose of
lemon squeezed over the top. OK match with the chicken (though the soy sauce
flavor made me wonder re trying nebbiolo or pinot noir next time). The next
night I came in late from a board meeting, had a glass. Delicious- if I didn't
know better might have thought there was a hint of residual sugar. Tasty, good
QPR. B+/B

Now, Wednesday I was prepared to have leftovers. Then in the afternoon Betsy
called to announce that her rehearsal ended early, she had decided to come home
from city and make me dinner rather than staying in. She said she was making
steak - I thought "that's nice, she's doing something easy before driving back
to city and playing principal in Figaro." I got home to find her in a cooking
frenzy- filet in a cream/vinegar sauce (Franey cookbook), chanterelles in a
bordelaise prep (also Franey) , potatoes, green beans, and salad. I married the
right woman. Thinking I was going to be dealing with a plain steak, I opened
the 1998 Neyers "Neyers Ranch Conn Valley" Merlot. Huge Merlot, dark plum fruit
and lots of toasty oak with a little chocolate, the tannins on the hard side.
None of the green flavors I get from some 1998 Napas. Certainly an impressive
wine, but not a really fun one, and it definitely overpowered the filet. Notice
later the label says 14.8%ABV, good I didn't drink too much of that (though I
didn't think it tasted hot). A B/B- tonight, though a big rare T-Bone might up
the score a bit.

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
Dale

Dale Williams
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