A great wine with dinner

[Florida Jim]

Aperitif and wines with a salad of greens, pears and gorgonzola:

2001 Chateau de la Greffiere, Macon la Roche-Vineuse:

Overall, this wine was very similar to Chablis in that it was crisp, somewhat steely, had no noticeable wood, emphasized citrus elements on both the nose and palate and had very good persistence. It did have its own character, especially on the palate, but I am so unfamiliar with the Macon that I could not say if that was typical of the terroir or not. In any event, I very much enjoyed this wine, feel that it has a good future and will buy some as I understand its about $15 (someone else brought it).

2001 Ca’ntele, Chardonnay Salento:

A wine from the Puglia area, this was very gentle with apple and soft grapefruit tones on both the nose and palate. Although I understand that about 25% of the wine sees neutral wood, no oak elements were discerned. This wine was “smaller” than the previous wine and really didn’t taste much like Chardonnay. Pleasant, but not more.

With a tomato based stew with shrimp and scallops:

2000 Drouhin, Chambolle-Musigny, Amoureuses:

Out of this world good wine. “Sap” is the first and foremost descriptor that comes to mind; an extremely focused and intense core of red fruit with black fruit overtones (extraordinarily perfumed) – Chambolle syrup, if you will. As it opened some, earth tones appeared but it was the texture that seemed to take on a greater harmony and finesse over time. This is very classy juice with exquisite balance. ‘Many good years ahead of it and sensational with the food. About $68, discounted.

Best, Jim