Dammit, Betsy's season started. The first night that it's just David
and I for dinner, I do a couple of ribeyes and some squash on the
grill. The wine is the 2001 Ch. Siaurac (Lalande de Pomerol). This is
NOT one of those Lalande de Poms that make you think they're almost
Pomerol. Black plum fruit, a little earth, a decent wine at it's $10-12
range but not something to look for. B

Next night it's David and I again; I grill salmon, with some
portabellos and a seaweed salad on side. A 375 of the 1999 Domaine de
Courcel "Fremiers" Pommard is up. Tight at first- I mean really tight,
virtually nothing showing. I switch to an open white, then return at
end of meal. Still a bit clunky, but its a Pommard - I wasn't looking
for graceful. Medium-bodied, good dark cherry fruit, some rather hard
tannins. As evening progresses I nurse a series of small pours. Gradual
opening, this ends up as a pretty nice wine, if a bit more robust than
I expected. Flowers, earth, and a little herb. Will put other half away
for a while. B/B+?

Tonight it's just me, lamb chops, the grill, and a 1999 Havens
Bourriquot (Napa).. Big New World fruit bomb nose at first, but quickly
settles into nice balanced red, deep black cherry and raspberry fruit
with a hint of earth, more leather and cedar on the finish, as well as
some distinct Graves-like minerality. Good stuff, A-/B+

Over 4 nights, there was also the NV Gazela Vinho Verde (2005 on back
label). Light, fresh, crisp, lightly petillant (at least on the first
couple nights), a deal at under $6. 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

DaleW wrote:

> Over 4 nights, there was also the NV Gazela Vinho Verde (2005 on back
> label). Light, fresh, crisp, lightly petillant (at least on the first
> couple nights), a deal at under $6. B

2005?? Where is this Vinho Verde from, Dale? I'd assumed Portugal until
I read that factoid from you, and now I'm just confused. Is there a
Vinho Verde produced in the S. hemisphere?

Mark Lipton

Mark Lipton > wrote:

>> Over 4 nights, there was also the NV Gazela Vinho Verde (2005
>> on back label).

> 2005?? Where is this Vinho Verde from, Dale?

Quinta do Azevedo, Portugal, acquired by Sogrape in 1982. ;-)

> I'd assumed Portugal until I read that factoid from you, and now
> I'm just confused.

No problem.

> Is there a Vinho Verde produced in the S. hemisphere?

Not that I knew of one.

Gazela comes as a non-vintage, iirc, "2005" seems to be a
best-before date or something in the like.

M.

"NV Gazela Vinho Verde (2005 on back
> label"
As Michael notes, this is non-vintage. But all good Vinho Verdes have a
back seal (Selo de Garantia) with a lot number followed by the bottling
year. Always good to check, because you don't want to pick up a 2002 or
2003 bottling now. In a sense, Michael's correct this is a drink by
date.